SWYSA Youth Winter Training at Paignton Sailing Club
by David Mountain 15 Jan 23:56 AEDT
11-12 January 2025
SWYSA Youth Winter Training at Paignton © Claire Whiter
Paignton Sailing Club hosted a fabulous weekend of South West Youth Sailing Academy (SWYSA) Winter Race Coaching over Sat 11th to Sun 12th Jan. Conditions were cold but clear, with a perfect 8-15 knots of winds.
The Topper Fleet were first out on Saturday coached by Stuart Jones and Duncan West. The training focussed on hovering, and the delicate art of sailing backwards. Sunday saw the turn of the Fevas and Lasers.
Teddy Denn and Jim Rosser coached a strong showing of sailors in the Feva fleet, consolidating skills they have built up during the previous three Winter series sessions.
Duncan West and Hazel McDonnell coached the more senior ILCA fleet in trigger pulls and stop tacks. All sailors enjoyed a pasta lunch prepared by volunteers from hosts Paignton Sailing Club.
SWYSA Winter Race Coaching sessions across all fleets aim to be fun, friendly and inclusive - it has been most rewarding to see these young sailors meeting up and developing their friendships as the season has gone on.
Thanks to all of the coaches, the parent volunteers who helped organise and who were on the water in safety boats and coach boats. A huge thank you to Paignton Sailing Club for hosting such a great event, and making everybody feel so welcome.
The next SWYSA Winter Race Coaching event is on the weekend of 15th to 16th Feb, again hosted by Paignton Sailing Club.
Paignton Sailing Club: www.paigntonsailingclub.co.uk
SWYSA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swyouthsailing