The annual 2024 Youth Squad camp took place from 3 – 7 April at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club (SSCBC) with our three classes 420, ILCA 6 and iQFOiL participating. Our Kitefoiling program taking place out of South of Perth Yacht Club (SoPYC).

The theme of the camp was connecting youth sailors and to support more independent learning delivered by our coaches:

• 420 - Jamie Swavley (#NEXTLEVEL) and Amelia Catt 
• ILCA 6 - Zac West(#NEXTLEVEL) and Conrad Byrt (#NEXTLEVEL)
• iQFOiL - Scott Luxton

The Youth Squad strives to facilitate the progression of Youth sailors, preparing them for international regattas by providing support to better enable competition readiness.

In support of this endeavor, non-residential camp assistance includes a series of webinars led by our advanced coaches from April to June.

Each Youth Squad member gets access to quality coaching, squad kit and an action plan upon camp conclusion to support learning in their home environments.

The five days provides the opportunity to deliver cross/class squad learning and with that, have the sailors cultivate learning and friendships across the group. 

Members of the Youth Squad during the camp. Photo credit: Lesley Fasala.

Reflecting on the experience, ILCA 6 sailor Ali Braden described it as a highly educational week, enriched by new friendships and challenging sailing conditions. Scott Luxton noted the squad's development of self-coaching skills despite light, patchy and sometimes frustrating wind conditions, still resulted in grins all round!

The sailors learning extends beyond the camp, as squad members reconvene online to review action plans with each class coach, guiding sailors toward self-reflection and action, fostering a culture of curious learners.

Additional webinars further explore learning, both on and off the water.

For our Kitefoiling sailor Noah Karantonis, a tailored program has been developed with his coach Alex Landwehr in Western Australia and will be delivered during the next couple of weeks out of South of Perth Yacht Club (SoPYC).

The conclusion of the Youth Squad ends at the end of June.

The names of each of the Youth Squad and Coaches can be found below:

420 – Jamie Swavley and Amelia Catt

• Callum Veale
• Sailor Cowen    
• Murphy Cowen    
• Darcy Higgins    
• Sophie Ward    
• Austin Higgins    
• Braden Griffiths
• Clara Cini
• Olivia Cameron
• Lilly Driver    

ILCA 6 – Zac West and Conrad Byrt

• Adelaide O’Donoghue    
• Ellen Sampson    
• Charles Toyn    
• Riley Cantwell    
• Sara Bruce    
• Healy Ryan
• Ali Braden    

iQFOiL – Scott Luxton

• Jack Blazier
• Harriett Wormald    
• Andre Chereiski    
• Amelia Wilson    

Kitefoiling – Alexander Landwehr

• Noah Karantonis    

Members of the Youth Squad put their skills to the test. Photo credit: Lesley Fasala.

ILCA 6 Youth Squad members. Photo credit: Lesley Fasala.