WASZP UK Class Training at Parkstone Yacht Club
by Rhys Lewis 15 Dec 2019 12:12 PST
WASZP UK Class Training at Parkstone © Petrina Blomeley
Five WASZPs were treated with some sensational foiling conditions on Saturday out of Parkstone Yacht Club. The 10-15 knot, surprisingly warm breeze was as reminiscent of Garda as we can hope to get for a Saturday in December!
After a scramble to get on the water after a windless training weekend prior, we navigated the many sandbanks we had been warned about before some lengthy training runs to blow away any cobwebs. It was interesting to see how different amounts of windward heel affected the height and speed of the WASZP with many different techniques on show.
Coach Max then set up a cracking slalom course which kept us entertained for hours with the occasional flying fifteen fleet joining in the racing. The format is new to many of us so hitting the line foiling at full speed was the key to success, in addition to a heavy focus on hitting foiling gybes consistently. After a fun and productive three-hour session, Max hopped in a boat to show us how to do it, before everyone headed in for a well-earned hot drink, de-brief and video analysis of the highs and lows of the day!
We also enjoyed a brilliant meal as a squad thanks to WASZP UK Class and Parkstone Yacht Club which we were all extremely grateful for, followed by a chilled evening.
Sunday brought some less favourable conditions as the front that had dominated the forecast all week inevitably closed in. Although we weren't quite brave enough for the conditions, we still had a very productive day since world class Moth sailor, Josie Gliddon, joined us for the day. Josie brought interesting new insights into areas such as heel and trim as well as providing us with some Garda secrets before the Waszp Games in Malcesine next August.
A massive thank you on behalf of the WASZP UK class, to Parkstone Yacht Club for the wonderful hospitality, as well as Zhik and Noble Marine for supporting the class! Also of course, thank you to Max Todd for his usual enthusiasm and the time that he commits to the WASZP UK class which is helping us build a quality team environment that is a pleasure to be a part of. Finally, thank you to Josie for spending Sunday with us and sharing her expert analysis which was incredibly valuable and will hopefully help us towards our goal of the WASZP Games next summer!
Before then, we are meeting for many more training weekends, the next one being held at Tata Steel Sailing Club, the Welsh Riviera, on the 4th and 5th of January.