"Gan Racing"
"Gan Racing" - Derwent's race coaching programme for all members
(Updated March 2024.)
If you have never raced or have tried and got lost going round the course or never made it over the start line please read on...
A race coaching programme for all ages (8-80+) runs on most Sundays. Meet up with your coach, rigged and ready to go on the water. Sailors will be split into groups of similar abilities/boats depending on numbers participating.
For those with more experience and just looking to build confidence, a coach would take a group afloat and undertake some exercises on the water (start practice, specific exercises for mark rounding etc) and then join in with a couple of club races before lunch.
For those who can sail but feel they wouldn't even be ready to actually cross the start line, the first session of each block will be a starting off group with some instruction / guidance on how the race runs and then going on and joining in behind the main race start.
This year races will be shorter in length than usual so that we can fit a few more in. The start sequence will be simplified and a coach would aim to be on the water to give some words of encouragement if you need it.
What would you need to provide?
- Waterproof watch. While a proper racing one is ideal, anything with a stop watch will do just fine.
- Sailing gear
- If you have your own boat - great! If not, provided the numbers work, we may be able to allocate a club boat.
There will be an opportunity to debrief afterwards.
Syllabus
We will be roughly following the RYA's Racing Scheme. Depending on weather conditions, how many sessions you attend and the experience level in the group, we will be looking to award the Start Racing and/or Club Racing awards.
How much will it cost?
We need to cover the costs of RIBs and any paid coaches we have. Costs are subsidised by the club. A block of three consecutive sessions is £15.
When does it run?
Please see the calendar for the next block of sessions. Please make a booking so that we know how many people to expect.
Timings
Times will be flexible and adjusted to fit the needs of those attending. A rough schedule might be:
- 14:00 Meet coach rigged and ready
- 14:30 Launch boats
- 16:00 Off the water
- 16:15 Debrief
How well do you need to be able to sail?
If you have done RYA Level 1 (adult) or RYA Stage 1 & 2 (juniors) then you can likely already sail a triangular course and recover from a capsize. Those are the basic essentials to be able to safely get round a race course on a nice day! There are some rules of the road that we would cover in the starting off group.
Who is this not for?
People who are still working on the basics of sailing (check out the club's RYA courses on the website) and people who are already routinely racing and just want to polish their race skills.
Last updated 20:56 on 26 March 2024
