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Sport
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Time
nears for Northsail
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Not
always smooth sailing, but a memorable experience is Northsail,
with the crew in action last year.
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Crew
positions for Northsail 2003 are now up for grabs, with the annual
adventure utilising two of the RANs’ 11-metre sail training
yachts for 45 days from April 27 to June 10.
Northsail 2003 will see ten sailing legs and each participant may
nominate for a sailing leg of three days.
Northsail is a sailing adventure provided by the ADF Sailing Association
to enable Defence personnel (military and civilian) to develop individual
self-confidence, leadership and team skills while working in a demanding
environment. For some participants, this is a completely new environment,
in which they have to learn a whole new set of skills and language,
while for others, it is second nature.
The expedition provides participants with challenging situations,
such as rough nights, seasickness, cooking, eating and living in
a confined environment and the novel experience of using a toilet
that doesn’t stay still! This tests each participant’s
physical and mental stamina. However, for every challenge, there
are also rewards — developing new friends, new skills and experiencing
beautiful scenery.
All participants are involved with the organisation and running
of their yacht. For example, working out the victualling requirements,
noting the restricted galley facilities, passage planning, navigation,
radio communications and of course, sailing the yacht.
| Northsail
2003 legs: |
Leg
1: 27-29 Apr - Sydney to Coffs Harbour
Leg 2: 02-04 May - Coffs Harbour to Manly (QLD)
Leg 3: 07-09 May - Manly to Bundaberg
Leg 4: 11-13 May - Bundaberg to Mackay
Leg 5: 16-18 May - Mackay to Townsville
Leg 6: 20-22 May - Townsville to Mackay
Leg 7: 25-27 May - Mackay to Bundaberg
Leg 8: 29-31 May - Bundaberg to Manly (QLD)
Leg 9: 03-05 Jun - Manly to Coffs Harbour
Leg 10: 07-10 Jun - Coffs Harbour to Sydney |
Each
yacht is lead by an Australian Yachting Federation (AYF) qualified
skipper and is supported by an AYF qualified mate. The skipper and
mate train the six crew in all aspects of sailing the vessel, with
most crew (even novices) able to sail and manage the yacht effectively
by the end of their sailing leg.
The Northsail organising committee receives between 200-260 applications
each year. As each yacht is limited to eight crew per sailing leg,
the total number of berths available is 160. Nominations for skippers
and mates have already been called for with crew nominations available
on the Northsail website http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/raafweb/Sites/ADFSAIL/
from February 3.
To apply for a crewmember position, you don’t need any sailing
experience, but you must be physically and mentally fit. Successful
applicants will be required to submit a signed Northsail 2003 medical
form from their doctor.
If you are interested in participating, download and complete a
nomination form from the Northsail website, or contact the director
of Northsail, FLTLT Rob Saunders on 0417-275 016, e-mail nicnrob@austarmetro.com.au.
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