more laser training

Laser Training in April

NOTTS COUNTY LASERS ACTIVATE

Another successful Laser training day was held at NCSC last Saturday. As many of you will already know this is the latest offer from the dedicated programme of your ‘Team Laser’ to assist and motivate our laser sailors.

This is off the back of a national initiative called ‘Activate your Laser’. Those of you who keep an eye on the national yachting press will be aware that this is a scheme set up by the RYA, Laser Performance and the UKLA with the aim of helping clubs to get their fleets buzzing.

Ok, I know that ours is buzzing already, but those of you who were around 5 or 6 years ago will remember that the Lasers nearly lost fleet status at the club due to a lack of active members. Over the past few years we have worked hard at rejuvenating the fleet and have largely been successful. However, it is only by continuing to put effort in and using initiatives such as ‘Activate’ that we will continue to grow. With well over 100 lasers registered at the club (and growing by the week) we certainly have plenty to go at!

So last Saturday we tried a ‘Personal Coach’ session. An experienced Laser sailor was teamed up with a novice/ improver for the morning. The coaches were responsible for assisting in setting up the novices boat, advising on sail settings and giving a run through of the essentials of laser sailing. Then, in their pairs, they took to the water and spent nearly 2 hours sailing together. Judging by the comments afterwards this must go down as one of the most successful training sessions we have held. To spend that long on a one to one basis must equate to hours and hours of group training.

After the training session most of the sailors then took part in the club Saturday afternoon racing, totally dominating the entry list!

Although I don’t usually single out individuals, on this occasion I must. We had a new member, Thomasz, join us for the day. Thomasz completed an RYA Start Sailing course at the club last autumn. He spoke to me last week and asked if he could come to the training as his ambition is to own and race a Laser. So, he duly arrived with just 4 weekends of sailing experience in a Laser Stratos. I rigged the fleet laser with him and then paired him off with Rebecca, having had a quiet word with her about his lack of experience. Two hours later when they came off the water I was absolutely amazed at what I had seen. Under the guidance of Rebecca he sailed that Laser brilliantly, absolutely incredible! And to cap it off he joined in the racing, started behind everyone, completed the course and had boats behind him! Well done Thomasz and Rebecca. Have we got a new Goody or Ben? Watch this space...! Many thanks to all who gave up their time to help.

Next stop is for the top boys.. James Gray is coming to the club in a couple of weeks time to give a full days coaching for 10 of us. The course is full but if you want to take a look at some great coaching come along to the club on 15th May.

Keep an eye on your inbox for details of the next coaching day. In the meantime, myself and other ‘Team Laser’ sailors are hoping to be at the club most Tuesday evenings for an hour before the novice racing and will be on hand to assist where we can and do some on the water coaching.

Tim Cripps