LASER TRAINING DAY – SATURDAY 5^TH APRIL 2008

A brisk force four and a bitterly cold morning greeted the fourteen NCSC laser sailors who had enrolled for the training day.

RYA and top laser coach Richard Benson headed up the training with a support team of Simon Parker, Tom Mcevoy, Jack Clay and Tim Cripps.

A rigging session was first up with the standard laser settings being put into practice.  Copious amounts of extra lengths of rope were removed from most boats.

A short introduction on boat handling and how to stop a laser within three feet and hold station was followed by the first on the water exercise:- follow my leader, stop instantly, power up and away you go.

A short interlude followed by more of the same.  With the wind moderating, the line took shape and we could see some competent laser sailors emerging.

A wonderful lunch, made available by the good hearted wayfarer clan, was followed by a look at a laser sail and how the (sparse) controls alter its shape. 

Back onto the water to practice trigger starting (the technique of exploding off the line), tacking and gibing.  By now the wind had whipped up and threw in a huge hail storm for good measure.  Plenty of casualties and spectacular capsizes.

A depleted fleet lined up for the final session which put together all the day’s work.

The debriefing entailed analysis of sailors by video which really brought home the good and bad areas.  They day was well received by all and the general consensus is that a follow up training day led again by Richard in the autumn would be ideal.

My thanks go to Richard for giving us a full and informative day, to Simon, Tom and Jack for their help and to the wayfarer fleet (particularly Simon and Rachael) for adjusting their schedule to ensure a trouble free day.

Tim Cripps