In its epic annual return to Keppel Bay’s main beach, the opening day of the 2024 Zhik Youth Sail Queensland event has smashed attendance records, becoming the largest of its kind Australia-wide.

A highlight on the Australian Sailing calendar, the 2024 event, taking place just months after Australia won two sailing medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has welcomed 280 young sailors, 33 coaches, 5 Olympians and over 70 volunteers from across Australia. 

Not even strong wind warnings could dampen spirits in Yeppoon, with the highly anticipated yearly Coaching Clinic launching the event into action this morning. 

Queensland State Performance Pathway Manager, Mitch Kennedy, says the interstate collaboration in the lead up to the event will ensure sailors and coaches alike will receive incredible development opportunities over the coming days. 

“The Zhik Youth Sail event is special as it’s one of the only opportunities we get to bring together not only the next generation of Australian sailors but also coaches from across the state,” said Kennedy. 

“It’s a big opportunity, and because of the positive reputation that this event has attracted, we’ve got sailors and coaches traveling from places as far away as Darwin, Tasmania, and Western Australia to take part. 

“Our focus is on upskilling the sailors and coaches at the same time, so that when the event is over and people return to their clubs, they’re able to implement new skills and drills into their local sessions,” he said.

In preparation for their first day of the Coaching Clinic today, the coaches came together last night for their first professional development workshop of the week.

“We all got together and workshopped some drills. Everyone from Green Fleet to Olympic coaches were all in the same space, sharing techniques and drills for aspects like starting, which is something you don’t get every day,” Kennedy said.

“Everyone from Arthur Brett, coach of Olympic silver medalistGrae Morris, to Opti coaches had a voice in that room, and the general consensus was that everyone wanted to learn as much as possible so they could help their sailors both here and back home. 

“Our focus is on making sure the information everyone is getting is all the same and that sailors from across the state will all have the same information and the same opportunities to learn. I think last night did that, and we’ll continue to do so this week,” he said. 

Keppel Bay Sailing Club is hosting this year's event from Monday 16th to Saturday 21st September.

For more information on the event, click here.

To follow along with the event on social media, be sure to follow Australian Sailing Youth on Facebook and Instagram.