Team Sailing League 

TSL14 the Team Sailing League boats

The TSL14, a South African Sailing recognized class, incorporates the features of simplicity, durability, and a fun sailing experience for both novices and experienced sailors.

Conceptualized with input from leading sailors and participants in the sailing industry, South African Sailing believe this is an ideal Team Sailing boat. “The design phase focused on creating an amazing sailing experience and some key features include a simple deck layout, raised boom, and separate toe straps for helm and crew to allow for different crew configurations” says Stephen du Toit of Performance Craft who has built all the boats to date. All TSL14’s are fitted with rubber bow bumpers, sealed masts and a mail sail reef point for safety.

The sail plan consists of a modern main and job configuration that is ideal for team sailing and will be durable under extended use. David Rae of North Sails says, “The sails have been designed so the TSL14 can be sailed in a variety of wind conditions with an easy main reef system. The jib is designed for easy rigging with quick hanks. The TSL14 is well balanced and easy to sail making it a fantastic boat for team sailing and teaching new people to sail. This league is an exciting initiative from SA Sailing giving South Africans from all walks of life the opportunity to sail.”

Operators in each of the major regions in the country (KwaZulu Natal, Northern Region and the Western Cape) will be allocated seven boats (two teams of three with a spare in case of damage during tournaments).

Women's Team Sailing League:
A key initiative in the transformation of our sport is equalizing the gender participation and this form of sailing is ideally suited to this.

Inter Club League
Sailing continues to believe that the growth of sailing is done through clubs and classes. We do not have many events in South Africa where sailors represent their clubs on a regular basis and use this to develop diversity, club membership and skills level. This is successfully used by other sports to promote the clubs and develop sharing of skills from the experienced to the novices. We believe this is key to growing our sport. The interclub tournament will run on a regional basis and will provide the opportunity for the club to promote sailing. It is anticipated that this tournament will happen once a month. 

Inter Schools League
Sailors continue to display their frustration that sailing is not a school/varsity/college sport and we believe that this is a major opportunity for growth of our sport. The program will focus most of its time on growing this area by operating a bi-weekly sailing league targeting sailors aged from 14 to 24 involved in schools, colleges, and varsities across the demographics of South Africa. The terminology will be changed to reflect what this market understands, tournaments not regattas etc.

Corporate Events
Sailing continues to believe that the growth of sailing is done through clubs and classes. We do not have many events in South Africa where sailros represent their clubs on a regular basis and use this to develop diversity, club membership and skill levels. This is a successfully used by others sports to pormote the clubs and develop the sharing of skills from the experienced to the novices. We believe this is key to growing our sport. The interclub tournament will run on a regional basis and will provide the opportunity for the club to promote sailing. It is anticipated that this tournament will happen once a month. 

Two key pillars of the SA Sailing strategy launched at the end of 2015 include Building the Base of Sailors, and Transformation. Various initiatives have been developed in this area however it has not been simple to address the following key areas:

• The inclusion of less experienced sailors, novices (new to sailing) and “pro’s”
• A focus on sharing a great experience and to offer the sport to as many current and would be sailors as possible.
• The reactivation and retention of sailors who find that they currently have less available recreational time
• The attraction of more youth to clubs and membership growth by making sailing more accessible to those who,

1. Cannot afford to buy or own their own craft
2. Don’t want the hassle of craft ownership
3. Cant or do not want to commit a whole day to the sailing
4. Prefer social sailing either in a group or with a crew

• Simple access to sailing for all in simple to sail boats