Have a thought the next time when you are heading to a regatta and consider the journey to get to an event. This week at the QLD Coaching Clinic and Youth Championships sailors have travelled from the north and south to Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast which is central for all sailors. 

A number of sailors with the support of their family make the drive from the north and the south with some of the families taking up to 12 hours by car to reach Keppel Bay Sailing Club.  A number of families from far north Queensland make this trip on a regularly bases to attend training with Coach Matt Himson in Bowen which takes up to 6 hours to receive regularly coaching. 

Talia Bulstrode from Townsville and Port Denison Sailing Club has been doing this trip for a number of years, “a one way trip from home can take up to 38 hours in the car on the mainland thanks to Mum and Dad’’.  I’ve now moved to Brisbane for my final years of schooling so having access to regularly Laser training has made it easier this year in preparation for the QLD Youth Champs.  I’m also attending next week the NSW Youths which I’m looking forward too!

Above image: Talia Bulstrode

Many sailing families are aware of the travel Western Australians families make each year to head over to the east for nationals.  With the start of Westsail on Saturday 27 September and the WA Youth Championships a number of regional sailors will be driving or flying to Perth one sailor in particular Kaison Puls who lives on Christmas Island will be flying to attend the Westsail and WA Youths.  Christmas Island is located in the Indian Ocean 2623 kilometres north-west of Perth, the island became an Australian Territory back in 1958.

Above image: Kaison Puls from Christmas Island

Kaison first came though the Discover Sailing Day at Madurah Sailing Club and enrolled in the Tackers Program then he joined Mounts Bay Sailing Club sailing in an Open Bic.  ‘Last year was my first year at Westsail and the WA Youth Championships I’ve been living on Christmas Island for the past two years.  When I have the opportunity to sail on the island weather permitted I’m in an X3’.  You don’t get many sailing days on Christmas Island due to the weather and you have to sail out very far as the Island is made up of old volcanos so basically I’m sailing in the Indian Ocean.’’

So next time have a thought when packing up the car or jumping on a plane to travel to your next regatta for the families who travel many hours to take part, for the love of sailing!