Great sucess!

Please send your report to thomas@tcsailingcoach.com

IODAI report!

"Schull in february" the gloom and doom merchents muttered are you mad ?"The weather will be atrocious" they said."But it was good last year I replied". "Ah Yes but you'll never get that again". they said: Well they were wrong once again the organisers of Schull pulled out all the stops and even ordered superb weather to accompany the week. We heard rumours of snow in Dublin but we relished in glorious bring blue skies and sunshine in Schull.Bright blue sky and sunshine with winds of approximately 15 kts gusting to twenty at times. The Dinghy park was a hive of activity as sailors rigged and the wind rose to blow to the cobwebs away as the sailing season started for another year.All levels were catered for from pre-regatta to advanced. Sailors were divided into groups as top irish and international coaches met the sailors in their groups and the sailors met their friends again !Schull harbour was a sight to behold as Oppies launched in the unseasonal sunshine.This year was the biggest entry ever as over 160 Optimist sailors congregated in the sailing school.

ISA squad review report!

We have been pretty lucky with the weather ( if we except a dreadful Wednesday) allowing plenty time afloat and a good focus on quality work!

- Time Afloat : 4h + 6h + 1.5h + 4.5 h + 4h = 20h
- main topics covered afloat:
* some boat handling and speed test to launch the clinic
* starting techniques and strategies (really a huge part of the clinic!)
* sail testing / trim test
* a few races / strategy... leading versus hunting
* mark rounding.... mainly technical (we will have to come back on the tactics aspects)
* boat handling games to break between serious exercises
- Burcu also worked individually with sailors on boat handling aspects within the final two days
Quality work afloat was our main objective and it was great to see we managed so many hours at a relatively high intensity.

- Time ashore very important and well used!
- Rigging and boat prep. despite dealing with the best sailors in the country we have still work to do on that aspect to match the best international sailors. It was a great opportunity to have a different voice than mine to highlight or remind the sailors best pratice in preparing themself for a day sailing.
* sail flat on the ground (ideally have a small blanket the size of the sail to avoid gfetting it dirty!) and re-do ties individually. This allow to be set for the day sailing and helps to maintain the sail in good shape for longer (the slidding ties technic damages the luff which has direct impact on pointing ability and forces you to replace sails at a faster pace)
* understanding how to use the controls and their effect on the sail... We had a white board session followed by time around a boat.
* learn how to "love" their boat and sail and having an eye for details (changing ties, looking at various ropes making sure all is OK...). There is still lot of work here but a different voice highlighting it was definitely a bonus and kids have reponded for the lengh of the week anyway!
- keeping relaxed but serious / act as a "pro" sailor
- topics at white boad sessions:
* Starting techniques and strategies / decision making
* preparation
* various boat handling aspects
* boat setting for conditions
* the "pro" attitude / how to become a good sailor?
- One fitness session (circuit training with a focus on core strengh for better hiking and better posture)