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Windsurfing Race Coaching
22nd July & 5th August 2009 (report & photos see below)
The RYA have agreed to fund 4 Wednesday night sessions with Gerry Ball. Gerry Ball, who for those who don't know is not only a club member, but one of the top RYA windsurfimng Trainers and inspectors, those who have been on his instructor courses will be well aware of the strength and depth of his courses. Gerry used to win the Raceboard East Midlands circuit in the days when Nick Dempsey was on Aloha.
The idea is to encourage anyone who can do a start traingular course (ie most of those who sail on Wednesday) of whatever age a chance to start some low key racing. Racing is a great way to improve and enjoy yourself, that's why so many dinghy sailors do it, though windsurfers tend to take a less serious approach (well sometimes!)
The exact content of the course will be tailored to the people there and is flexble so you get the best out of the course, when we have enough instructors we may split up, but the intention is to cover:
a) Starts and sequences, flags etc
b) What is a race, this will be very interactive, so please ask about anything you don't understand
c) Tecnique coaching, tacking, gybing, running reaching, going to windward
d) Basic rules
e) Types of courses that may be set
f) What is an NOR why is it important (Notice of Race)
We have decided on a 5.45pm start and club boards and rigs will be available, we are not worried about who wins but that all are taking part.
Dates: 8th, 15th, 22nd July and 5th August.
Wed 12th August - Midlands Raceboard seminar at Club
Then on 12th August we have a very well known Raceboarder, David Hackford, who represented the UK at the Los Angeles Olympics (Windsurfer) who will be visiting with loads of demo kit and a 2 hour Raceboard coaching session and race, this will be open to all. This starts at 5.15pm, though we hope to get the kit down early afternoon.
After this we will try and set a course at about 6.30pm every Wednesday tthrough to September, so we can have some racing, we will try and get some prizes, but we may decide to award on effort and improvement rather than just first ovr the line. The key is taking part.
Links to key site pages
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First week (8th July) had 22 on the water learning the following:
STARTING
Getting to the line in good time!
The Start Sequence and flags. T 15 = 3 min ,2 min , 1 min ,Go! (Different though for our Sunday Club racing)
One minute rule – if you cross the line within 1 minute of the gun, you must go round one of the ends and start again. This rule if used is usually used at Open Meetings, and sometimes at Club level. (Often indicated by flag ‘I’ on committee boat.)
START LINE BIAS
Is there a favoured end? Think in terms of thirds, left, right or middle third.
Priority- to get some clean wind on the start, not being blanketed behind other sails /boards. Avoid the log jam!! Better to be at the wrong end of line in clean wind than start behind the Armada!
2 BASIC RULES
· Starboard tack (right hand closest to mast) has right of way over port tack. Therefore always aim to cross the start line on Starboard tack. (Unless by starting on port tack , you are sure you can cross in front of all other boards on Starboard)
· Avoid collisions if possible( basic IRPCS Rule)
If you infringe a rule you can exonerate yourself by doing a ‘720’ i.e. two full turns of sail and board. Don’t worry about this too much on Wed evenings though, we are doing this for Fun!
TYPICAL TYPES OF COURSE
For ‘Course Racing’ (i.e. upwind, downwind, crosswind)
· Box course
· Trapezoid
· Olympic (trapezoid with loop)
15th July mark rounding and pumping were the topics, as tecnique improved, a few less took part with holidays, and end of term activities taking place, don't worry if you have missed some just come down. All the club kit is available free of charge during the course and for use on Wed night racing. This was followed by a video feedback session. The smiles say it all.
To the left are a few photos.
A sinker, well to some anyway, did your sail really need a rinse Russ!