| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla - 2009 Season Summary. |
Overall
At the beginning of the 2009 season we had some very clear objectives for the Flotilla activities - "to provide additional sailing activities for RSrnYC Optimist sailors (all abilities), providing the opportunity for sailors to improve their skills and experience. Sailing activities will be based around IOCA Flotilla guidelines and the IOCA awards scheme and log book". |
| We finished our last session for the season and feel that the overall objectives were achieved. 33 sailors have joined the Flotilla and we averaged 12 sailors attending the 7 sessions. The attendance numbers did seem to drop from September onwards and we felt that the return to school after the holidays and busy sports activities elsewhere contributed to this. More competent sailors continued to sail in local and national Optimist class events. |
| For some sailors attending Saturday school, it was a real rush to make the 100pm starts, the extra half hour made a huge difference to the sailors frame of mind and the hassle factor that the parents endured. |
| Afloat we established that we could sail in the river opposite the club up to two and a half hours after high water and there were still strong flood tides up to 40 minutes before high water. Therefore the idea period for sailing is to launch 30 minutes before high water and be ashore 2 hours after high water. We sailed out of the river in our final session in October, in the Cathead area to the North of the spit. The inexperienced sailors were initially slightly nervous but soon got their bearings and the area proved to be a good area to sail in and should be considered for future sailing. |
What we learnt
● Keeping the sailors in groups of five and being specific about objectives and coaching input would be more effective in developing the sailors' ability and understanding of the Optimist.
● Creating small groups of sailors at the beginning of the season and working through a planned syllabus during the season in their groups would be more productive, perhaps incorporating any open meeting attendances.
● The quality of coaching and the coach: sailor ratio is a critical factor to the successful progression and development of the sailor and overall Flotilla programme.
● Pre- season rigging and boat preparation clinic would be useful.
● We should sail outside the river if the wind doesn't provide suitable conditions inside the river to be able achieve the planned objectives of the sessions.
● A "mother ship" type of craft would be useful to use for inexperienced sailor groups, allowing the children to take a break and re focus. This would enable the group to continue sailing without interruptions and maximise the time afloat.
● Finishing the sessions afloat with a race is quite a good way to end. Creating a series of races for the sailors to score results and track their progress through the season. (2 starts -Regatta and Racing series)
● Finishing the sessions with a video de-briefs would be good and a facility should be arranged so that these debriefs can take place immediately after changing and before de-rigging commences.
● Having guest coaches, younger sailors who have sailed Oppies to work alongside group leaders helps the groups to remain fresh and keeps sailors listening.
● The Flotilla sessions could be more specific in delivering training and coaching support to the sailors. There should be subtle difference between the "Splash" and Flotilla days.
● Parents would be accepting of a charge to assist the delivery of certain criteria e.g. Coach: sailor ratio, non parent coaching and other support resources.
● Ensure all equipment is suitably rigged and settings understood. A pre-season afternoon covering theory, video clips, racing rules and then suitable game (on the green) followed by a tea… |
Next steps - 2010
We have a provisional programme for 2010 which includes RSrnYC Splash days, Flotilla Sessions, Away Days, Local Open Meetings, and the Optimist Nationals. This is being developed and will eventually include details of visiting coaches and other specific details for the Flotilla sessions. One of the key differences in 2010 will be a more structured programme and objectives for the season's programme for the sailors. The IOCA syllabus will be followed closely. It is hoped that the sailors will be able to participate in the majority of the programme and that we all have fun as we achieved our own special individual goals… |
Splash and Flotilla 2010 Programme (Provisional)
Activity |
Date |
| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla session |
20th March |
| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla session |
17th April |
| April Splash Day |
18th April |
| Flotilla away day tbc |
9th May |
| May Splash Day |
16th May |
| Royal Lymington YC - Regatta Fleet Open Meeting |
6th June |
| Royal Lymington YC - Main Fleet Open Meeting |
12-13th June |
| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla session |
26th June |
| June Splash Day |
27th June |
| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla session |
10th July |
| July Splash Day and BBQ (Regatta Day for Minnows, Hawks, Eagles) |
11th July |
| Optimist Nationals - Weymouth |
24-30th July |
| Splash Week |
23rd - 27th August |
| September Splash Day |
26th September |
| RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla session (Sunday) |
October tba |
|
| Part of the Flotilla programme is to attend the Nationals. This event basically has four fleets and listed below are some brief outlined details below to provide an idea of where your own children may fit into the event. |
Regatta fleet consisting of 80 sailors aged between 8-10 years old.
Regatta starter - IOCA level 1
Regatta - IOCA level 2 and above
Main fleet (Primary focus on racing and completing the series)
Main fleet Junior - 11 to 13 years old
Main fleet Senior - 13 to 15 years old |
| Club members have participated in the events previously, and achieved successful results, and certainly had much fun during the event. We hope to draw on members previous experiences and ensure those at Weymouth next year, for the first time, will really enjoy the event within a supporting environment. |
| 2009 has been a fun time starting off the Flotilla activities at the Club. We hope this provides a good insight to our thinking for the next steps of development for the RSrnYC Optimist Flotilla and we really look forward to 2010. For further information please don't hesitate to contact us. |
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm.
Stuart Childerley |