Seems like only yesterday we were in Brisbane for the 2025 Opti Nationals but we at IODASA have already started to plan for the 2026 Musto Australian Optimist Championships being held at The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT) between 8 January 2026 and 15 January 2026 and open to all Green Fleet through to Open Fleet.

Consistent with prior years we are expecting a good contingent of SA sailors to participate. Being in Tasmania there is some complexity with the logistics of getting boats, RIB’s, and coaches over there, necessitating early planning.

As we have done in the past IODASA is planning on organising on water coaching and support for those who would like to participate. This is not compulsory but provides great support and development for our Open and Intermediate sailors, helping them to achieve their goals in a supportive environment. We expect that there will be adequate demand to require two coaches and ribs, as such we are inviting expressions of interest from Open and Intermediate sailors who are intending to take up this opportunity. We will be working on a coach to sailor ratio, so it's important that we understand early on who are those who are intending to take up this option as it will confirm coach/rib numbers. This coaching option is only available to the Open and Intermediate sailors as there are already local coaches for Green Fleet sailors in Tasmania and part of their entry fee.

This service will come at a cost that covers coach wages, accommodation, travel, and any sundries. In 2024 this was $800 pre sailor but will vary depending on numbers and ferry costs.

We are also happy to facilitate 2 trailers of optis to be taken over, which should cover opti transport for most sailors, this is not included in the above coaching fees. This will be on a first in basis.

Coach boats will need to be towed over, and we ask if there are parents intending to drive, and they are able to tow a rib across, the ferry costs for the incremental trailer costs will be covered by the program fees.

If we could please ask those interested in attending to please submit and EOI in the attached link, as well as if you are able to tow a trailer there and back and/or would like opti transport.

Please feel free to contact Mark Watters on 0429 548 896 or Luke Phillips on 0488 048 392 if you would like more information.