More than 60 sailors from four countries, aged from 7 to 16, are taking part in the O’pen Bic New Zealand Open this week.
The three-day event, which started yesterday, is being hosted by the Wakatipu Yacht Club from its Kelvin Peninsula base.
Club commodore John Stalker said it was the largest sailing event in the resort for years, with sailors from all over the country as well as 20 from Australia, Hawaii and Bermuda.
Ten were from his club, which had had the numbers joining its learn-to-sail programme triple to about 90 in the past year, with more on a waiting list.
"The kids loving sailing them. They’re a lot more exciting than the Optimist."
The competitors had been separated into three fleets based on experience, and were being tutored by some of the country’s best coaches both during and between races.
"We’re trying to create a learning environment — it’s not just hard racing. It’s really a coaching event.
"We want to make it an enjoyable and a learning experience, keep them happy and keep them learning."
Notable among the coaching team is former America’s Cup skipper Sir Russell Coutts, who is also keeping an eye on his son and under-13 world champion Mattias Coutts.
Blake Jackson (9), of Queenstown, said it was his second regatta since taking up solo sailing a few months ago.
Before then he had cruised with his parents on the family trailer sailer, but wanted to "give it a shot and see how it went".
He was one of 10 children in the novice fleet getting instruction from three coaches.
"Most of it’s about being safe and having fun."
