At the Olympic Games. Peter Burling is our patron and a strong advocate for the development of youth sailing in the Bay of Plenty.
At BoPSAT, our mission is to provide the opportunity for youth to experience the sport of sailing, regardless of their means or ability. We believe that sailing is an awesome sport that brings out fantastic qualities in young people, such as tenacity, self-reliance, discipline, and respect for others and the marine environment. Our goal is to create pathways and strategies to engage young sailors in the sport for a lifetime.
We achieve our mission through two main approaches. Firstly, we make sailing gear available at a low cost to both groups and individuals. This ensures that access to sailing equipment is not a barrier for those who want to participate in the sport. Secondly, we offer various carefully targeted support programmes for young sailors.
These programmes aim to develop their skills and knowledge in sailing and provide them with opportunities to compete and grow in the sport.
BoPSAT currently owns and maintains a fleet of 41 boats and boards, along with a range of lifejackets, spray jackets, wetsuits, and three road trailers. These resources are available for use by our members and participants in our programmes. We are based at the Bay of Plenty Sailing Centre at Sulphur Point, Tauranga, which is also home to the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club.
We work closely with the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, Port Ohope Yacht Club, and Rotorua Yacht Club to promote sailing in the region and provide opportunities for young sailors to excel in the sport. Our partnerships with these clubs allow us to offer a diverse range of sailing experiences and support to our members.
Our patron, Peter Burling, is a testament to the success of our programmes. As a world-class sailor, Olympic gold and silver medallist, and the skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand, Peter understands the importance of youth development in sailing. We are proud to have his support and guidance in our mission to grow sailing in the Bay of Plenty.
If you're keen to give sailing a try, we recommend getting in touch with your local yacht club. They offer school holiday, weekend, and after-school courses run by qualified coaches and using suitable gear. Sailing is a sport that opens up a world of possibilities, from recreational sailing around our beautiful coastline to competing in major international events. We have no shortage of world-class sailors in New Zealand, and we'd love for you to join their ranks.
Whether you're a sailor, a school, or a sailing club, we invite you to get involved with BoPSAT. Your support not only helps us provide access to sailing for young people but also contributes to the growth and development of the sport in our region. Together, we can create a vibrant and inclusive sailing community in the Bay of Plenty.