Sprint 15 Training at Stewartby and Grafham
by Bob Carter 30 May 2010 10:28 BST
10-11 April & 22-23 May 2010
Sprint 15 Training at Grafham and Stewartby © Bob Carter
The Sprint 15 Association ran 2 training weekends recently using Brian Phipps of Windsport as the coach.
The first was at Stewartby on 10/11 Aprii and we got 5 travellers and 5 locals on a pleasant weekend with some sun and enough wind for the occasional capsize. The second one was at Grafham on 22/23 May where we got 5 travellers join 8 locals and the weather was hot and sunny but a little more wind would have been useful on this weekend to put the techniques to the test.
The ability range of the participants on these courses ranged from those who had just bought a Sprint 15 to some old hands who wanted to sharpen up their technique (Thomas Sandal was the extreme as he was 2nd at last years National Championships!). Phil Warner (one of the new owners) was so impressed by the course at Stewartby in April that he came back for a second go at Grafham!
Thus we trained a total of 22 members of the Asssociation. The course was similar at both venues and covered dry land sessions to explain the techniques interspersed with exercises on the water. The sailors techniques were videoed on the water and then the play-backs were used at the debriefing sessions. The courses also covered a boat maintenance session on the Saturday evening after the breeze had died.
All participants felt that they had got a lot out of the courses so we would like to thank Brian Phipps for taking the time to do them for the Association and to the others who helped with the organisation.
Stewartby Participants: Mark Norman, Karl Pountney, Robin Hall, Jon Finch, Robert Finch (all Stewartby), Kevin Dowley (Marconi), Gary Burrows (Thorpe Bay), Phil Warner (Draycote), Simon Rowell (Felixstowe Ferry) and Peter Lea
Grafham Participants: Keith Ball, Jon Lyon, James Hurst, Eamonn Quigley, Kim Harris, Ted Waller, Thomas Sandal, Richard Whitelock(all Grafham), John Manning (Beaver), John Linnell, Phil Warner (Draycote), Keith Chidwick (Queen Mary) and Gordon Duece (Brightlingsea)