Sailing School - 2012
Sailing School is an opportunity to learn to sail or improve your existing sailing skills. It is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Preparations are well underway with boats being renovated to make sure that you can have a boat available to sail in.
To download a Sailing School entry form go to the 'Downloads' tab on this website.
See 'News' tab for more information.
News Headlines
- Outreach Program - Local Rural School - Continuing in 2012
- Facebook page - 'Optimist Sailing in Zimbabwe' - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocrazw/
Events for 2012 are currently being agreed. The website will be updated as soon as details are confirmed.
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OCRA ZIMBABWE
Catering for youth under the age of 16. Optimist Dinghy Class Racing is loads of fun with good facilities at various venues but especially at Jacana Yacht Club, Lake Chivero, outside Harare.
Optimist Sailing 2011 - Jacana Yacht Club - Lake Chivero
Optimist sailors at Jacana Yacht Club enjoy good, supervised, tuition and events held throughout the year. There is good opportunity to compete locally and then eventually at international events.
Life Skills
By sailing this wonderful single handed sailing craft children have good opportunity to not only master the skills of sailing but to acquire life skills. Life skills in the form of self motivation, discipline, crisis management but all given in the setting of fun and enjoyment.
Foundations
It is a well recognized fact that most top sailors, worldwide, gained their foundational skills in the Optimist sailing dinghy. Now they have the opportunity of competing at the highest levels, sailing across oceans, going on sailing cruises and much more. There are a number of Zimbabwean children that are now sailing around the world for both work and fun.
Website
The www.ocrazw.org web site serves the Zimbabwe Optimist Class Racing Association (OCRA) and the Zimbabwean OCRA Community by providing:
- News
- Events
- Technical
- Tips and information
- Contact information
. . . . . and much more
We hope that more young people, and their parents, will see the opportunities and take up the sport of Optimist Sailing and be part of the OCRA worldwide community.
OCRA Aims
To develop the sport of Optimist Sailing at all levels by improving the competence levels and numbers of children sailing regularly.
OCRA Objectives
The main objectives of OCRA Zimbabwe are to:
· Run a transparent and objective organization for junior sailing
· Have transparent and open accounting systems
· Agree on the standards for awards
· Standardize the award system and to follow existing rules for that system
· Agree and discuss with tutors prior to sailing School both the award system and the basics to be taught for each group
· Maintain an up to date regatta file showing participation and results
· Maintain a sail register and standardize all sails to ZIM
· Maintain a database which includes children dates of birth
· Communicate with the members on a regular basis
· Make and follow selection requirements
Who is OCRA?
You, the Optimist sailors and your parents.
OCRA purposes?
To co-ordinate Optimist sailing, develop new sailors who can sail confidently on any stretch of water.
Who runs OCRA?
A committee elected at the OCRA AGM at Sailing School.
Who elects the committee?
You the members.
How do you change or get things done?
Write to the committee, offer your services. Attend the AGM and air your views, listen to others.
What does OCRA have to offer?
Newsletters, Optimists for hire, rescue and coach boats, register of boats ie who owns, is selling or buying boats.
Costs
In order to race an Optimist you must be a member of OCRA for which we charge $15 per family per annum. If you are sailing an Optimist for the first time and become a member of OCRA, you are eligible to receive an Optimist Award at prize giving for which the charge is $5.
Awards
Optimist sailors train for a number of Award Badges and information about these can be found in the Oppie Log Book which will be provided to new OCRA members at registration for $5.
Annual General Meetings
Annual General Meetings are held during the Sailing School which in 2011 is scheduled in the penultimate week of Schools first term holidays. These meetings are generally followed by a cheese and wine party in celebration of the last year’s achievements.