Youth Training Week -Day 2

The E. H. Davies Youth Training Week

Plas Menai Outdoor Pursuits Centre

Sponsored by Craftinsure and Robline UK

TUESDAY DAY 2

Ian Dobson was the Guest Coach today and in consultation with Harry our Senior Instructor an early start was decreed with everyone lined up for breakfast by 7.45am so that the weather window of opportunity could be used to maximum.   The forecast was for 22mph average windspeed and gusts of 38mph rising after 11.00am.   The other factor taken into account was that it was wind with tide until 12.00 and then wind over tide. After a briefing the boats were on the water by 9.30am keeping to the east shoreline which was slightly protected.   

The issues discussed today were spotting and counting down gusts, use of the kicker, use of the main sheet, helm and crew tacking in unison

Races were organised and individual boats were videoed for use at a debrief later. After 3 hours on the water with the wind speed now increasing a long sail ensued against the tide for dry land and lunch.

Afternoon sailing was called off and a thorough debrief took place as the video was avidly watched and starts were discussed in detail

Mid afternoon after a short break it was down to the boat park to discuss everything about spinnakers.

Everyone sailed so well in the most difficult conditions, there were capsizes and the safety boat crew were kept on their toes but the sense of achievement was evident amongst out intrepid sailors.  They should all be immensely proud!

By 7pm all had recovered and Chris spent an hour teaching splicing with equipment, lines and fids, kindly sponsored by Robline UK and talking about boat maintenance

Everyone is looking forward to Day 3!