Flying Fish Australia warms up for Christmas

4 December 2008

Australia is warming up for Christmas. While half the Flying Fish crew are planning barbies on the beach and surf trips up the coast, the rest are in training for Sydney's two big Christmas yacht races: the Coffs and the famous Sydney Hobart.
 
This is a busy time of year for Russell Bonner, Flying Fish Operations Director. Russell explains: "While everyone else is fixing their holidays, I have my head down organising our biggest season. I'm not complaining though. Spending Christmas in the sun and getting time off on the beach makes it all worth while."
 
Getting ready for the Sydney Hobart race is an annual task for skipper and founder of Flying Fish, Andy Fairclough. "This is the most challenging race in the Flying Fish calendar - and a fantastic experience for everyone on board. This year's Team Fish is looking like a strong crew. We have high hopes of a good result."  Their Christmas celebrations will be cut short when the boats head out from Sydney Harbour to start the race on Boxing Day, 26 December.
 

Start the race on Boxing Day

The warm water alternative in the first week of the new year is the offshore race from Pittwater to Coffs Harbour. This is a regular Flying Fish favourite and first choice for candidates training for their Yachtmaster certificates.
 
Meanwhile new graduates from surf, windsurf, dive and dinghy sailing instructor courses are warming up for their first experiences teaching newcomers during the busy Christmas holidays. 

Team Flying Fish is based at Manly, seven miles from Sydney's CBD. Surrounded on three sides by water, Manly is the perfect destination for surfing and diving, while nearby Balmoral beach is protected from the ocean swell and ideal for beginners learning to sail and windsurf.
 
Flying Fish senior instructor John Naylor describes the scene: "Surfing and sailing are Sydney's favourite water sports - and our new instructors have trained in good conditions this year. Respect to everyone who passed in the first round of instructor courses. They're going to be great teachers."

Respect!

It's not too late to join Flying Fish in Australia this season.  Click below for courses with spaces available.

Surf Instructor courses >>
Windsurf Instructor courses >>
Dinghy Sailing Instructor courses >>
Divemaster and Dive Instructor courses >>
Yacht race events >>
Yachtmaster Traineeships >> 
Master of Yachts Part 2 (Coastal Skipper Training) >>