That’s right! Are you rested yet? Start your Laser season training now

by Anchor Man NSW/ACT Laser ASN on 21 May 2009
That’s right! Are you rested yet? Most of you Laser sailors have been off the water for a month now.

But it's coming and its coming fast. The 2009/2010 sailing race season is on its way, and what are you doing about it?

Still thinking about the last season? Wondering how to improve? It's time to start training!

The New South Wales and ACT Laser ASN already has all the regattas posted for the new season so you should already be planning your holidays, training and most of all shining that hull!

Here's a quick run down of regattas

June Long weekend - Brass Monkey @ Toukley Sailing club

July 17-20 - South Pacific Laser Masters @ RQYS (QLD)

August Both Gosford and Double Bay sailing clubs are running pre season Events. The warm up!
(Note on the Gosford event, this is a 4.7 friendly event!)

October 12-16 - World Masters Games @ WSC
24-25 - The Coasts! @ Toukley Sailing Club. The first of the big 3

November 14-15 - The NSW Masters @ Great Lakes, Forster. Trust me that’s going to be a good one!

Dec/Jan The Nationals are in South Australia, not a bad drive after you get off the Hume.

February 6-7 - The State championships @ Post Stephens! Great place great choice!

March 13-14 - The Metros @ Woollahra. We are back on one of the world's best harbours.

For some of us the season does not end anymore but for others it does... even their boats run away from the water.

Have you thought about what you can do to step up your race performance?

Boat handling. Just because your boat is hiding for the chilly months does not mean you can't fire up and hit the new season faster, harder and fitter than ever before! That’s three months and you can do it.

A few simple ideas for anyone at any age; most gyms and fitness clubs have spin classes (indoor cycling) now, that means your out of the weather and sweating like your crossing the Simpson in the middle of summer. Spin classes, if coached right, will motivate you and push you through walls! And guess what, you’re using the same group of muscles that you hike with, and trust me it works... it really works. You’re first class maybe a little hard but if the gears are good (like schwinn bikes) you will be able to clip in and use your bike shoes as well. Another idea is to buy an indoor trainer for your road or mountain bike. I have a fluid trainer from Jet Black which I use if I can't make the gym, the bike clips in and the resistance is relative to the gear you are pushing.

Core strength. Your core works hand in hand with your legs. So strengthen it. One of the keys to Lance Armstrong’s come back is core work. You should talk to your local fitness trainer of correct technique, then take it home and go hard. The best thing about core work is you can use things around the house so there is no extra expense. There should be no more complaints about your back if you do it right.

Little things like fit balls, bosu balls and wobble boards are all great for core and balance work as well and won't break the budget.

Remember we also have a former Olympian Michael Blackburn who is an expert in these matters. Check out Sail Fitter found online or at your favourite Laser shop. The Lance Armstrong’s book is The Lance Armstrong Performance Program by the Boss and Chris Carmichael.

So you have three months, don't give me your age as an excuse, you sail a Laser! Don't give me your job as an excuse, you sail a Laser! And don't give me time as an excuse; it's already slowing you down!

*Remember at all times you should always seek professional advice from Medical and Fitness experts. Ahh, but you already sail a Laser!!!