On and Off-the-water Training at Broadstairs Sailing Club
The next training sessions are...
Time Keeper Training
Friday, 25th May, 19.30
Learn the ropes of being a Time keeper (Race hut needs your help) With time keepers going off around the World, spending months in Greece and planning weddings, we find ourselves short of, and sometimes without, people knowing how the squarehead works. No squarehead staff and you get NO results. All welcome.
GMDSS Course by Stan Bishop
Saturday, 2nd June
Stan Bishop will run a GMDSS Radio Course, £40 to members including R.Y.A. Registration . Limited numbers, book early by e-mail to me, Training Officer Dave Adams or put your name on the list on the bar notice board.
The Thinking Behind it All
Why Training?
Although Broadstairs SC isn't a training establishment in it's own right, and as a result can't offer any official certification, we have a membership that is very experienced in all areas of the sport... from running races to winning them!
We run sessions throughout the year on lots of subjects both on and off the water.There are two main reasons that we run training sessions. The patrol boats and the squarehead need competent crews to run the races, and better knowledge of racing among the sailors means better racing for everyone involved.
The more crews we have able to man the patrol boats then the more flexibility there is and that means fewer duties, and more racing for everyone!
If you understand the starting procedure from the squarehead, then starts will be more than horns sounding and pretty flags waving, knowing whats going on makes a big difference.
There's little satisfaction in winning a race against someone who is lacking basic skills, so we want to make it more of a competition.
Who is it aimed at?
In short, everyone.
All members are welcome to come along to any session. Even more experienced members of the club can afford to brush up on rules and patrol boat operations and may even be able to contribute what they know. The more people there are, the better it all gets. For on the water sessions all boats are welcome from Toppers to Laser 5000s.
On the Water Training
Sail and Race Training
About once a month, these sessions are for brushing up on skills or learning new ones.ANYONE can make a boat go and even sail a course with a little practice. That's simple.
But how do you get around that course faster than someone else? Within the rules? How to use the tide? Or windshifts?
To take part you need to be on the harbour, with your boat ready to go, for 10am
Patrol Boat Training
These are essential sessions for everyone who is able. Being able to crew and helm the patrol boats effectively not only makes you more aware of what is going on, but means that you can do your bit towards making the club run smoothly. Driving and manoeuvring the boats takes a bit of practice, and its better to learn the basics when it's not essential to a race!
And don't think its an easy way out compared to sailing either, pulling up the anchors can be quite hard work!
Patrol Boat training numbers are limited so book a place in advance by contacting Dave Adams by email
Scheduled Training Dates for 2007
- April 14th
- May 26th
- June 23rd
- July 21st
Off the Water Training
Who gives the training?
There is a wealth of knowledge at Broadstairs Sailing Club. Those that have sailed the waters off Broadstairs all their lives, others that have sailed all around the world. Big boats, little boats, cruising for fun or in World Championship events. Training Officer Dave Adams coordinates all the training events but the talks are given by the members themselves.
What can you learn?
There's no substitute for practical experience, but having someone explain the theory to you can give you a head start over a trial and error learning method!
Talks prepared by the various members can help you to understand all sorts of things about our sport. Whether it's learning the rules to know your rights (or your wrongs), how the tides work and how to use them, or how to set up your boat for the conditions.
Off the water sessions also cover the running of the squarehead so that more members can help out in the race organisation.
Next Training Dates
Off the water sessions are held in the club wardroom on Friday evenings starting at 7.30pm. They will usually be the evening before an on the water session (See dates above) but occasionally special courses might be run that require alternative days.
All members will be briefed by email on the dates and content of each session nearer the time. All sessions are free unless otherwise stated (Courses that earn official certification generally incur a cost) just bring money to get yourself a drink (or two) for the duration of the session.