Visit at the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, India

Visiting my sister Viviane who lives in Chennai ( India), I took the opportunity to respond to an invitation by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, one a the main Indian sailing club. Indeed I had kept the link established by the visit of 3 Indian sailors from TNSA at the 2009 Irish nationals and it was the perfect opportunity to develop further the relationship. I ended up spending almost 3 weeks visiting TNSA on a daily basis spending time with TNSA's young sailors, exchanging with parents and local coaches. It was a a great experience, a franc success and it will open further actions in the futur in order to develop the great potential of the club.

The initial 6 days, I was presented to the laser 4.7 team of the club and met again with Rufus and Praveen, two sailors I had met in Ireland. Both had progressed into lasers 4.7 and are amongst the best in India. 6 sailors took the Chennai waters for the 6 days and I could advise them afloat and ashore giving them tips and tricks. Out in the waves, inside in the shifty harbour... everything was practised and I could step in lasers from time to time to demonstrate various skills. The sailors were entusiatic and progressing each day.

After a day relaxing home with Viviane, I went back to TNSA to meet up with the Optimist bunch. 14 lively kids aged 7 to 14 who were showing amazing entusiasm. Once more I went afloat alongside local coach Lingesh and various dedicated parents and my natural instinct went to coaching... We covered a lot of topics and I exchanged a lot of information with the sailors, Parents and coaches. The sailors are now just gone to Doha for the "gulf international regatta". I have no doubt the 10 intense days they had afloat in Chennai will help them to achieve their potential.

The contact is now well established and it looks like I will go back to coach these young sailors and help their local coach on an annual plan. In the mean time, I am firmly keen to set a small team to race at the Chennai international regatta in October. With 70 boats from 12 countries and knowing the Asians are the best in Optimist at the moment, it would be a great experience... And with such a good relationship having developped with TNSA, we surely can work it out in a cheap, entertaining and cultural way for young Irish sailors.