British Contender Association free training at Oxford Sailing Club
by BCA 17 Jul 2025 14:35 PDT
British Contender Association free training at Oxford © Chris Howe
Once again Oxford Sailing Club hosted the Contender class to allow them to iron out those boat handling, speed and tactical creases, that accumulate from the washing machine of club and open sailing.
This Training was deliberately aimed at those joining the fleet, as well as those working through the mid fleet, it turns out however, that it equally rewards those regular campaigners that could do with a tune up.
Providing the structure and entertainment to the training was Adam Bowers, a coach who makes good strategic thinking practical to both the Contenders nuances and the reality of racing. Joining Adam were Ed Presley and Stuart Jones, both trying to provide the Contender specific view as best they can, whilst covering sailing techniques, best usage of equipment and all of the little oddities the Contender offers.
The day started with a rigging and boat check out on Oxford's lawn to get the eight sailors into a good starting point, Stuart set the sailors up for light winds as is his want, followed by Ed who insisted of cranking on the tension and rake for those heavier winds. As it was a windy day, Ed felt justified in this.
Windy it was. Stuart saddled up in a boat unknown to him to act as the gold standard (or as close as he could get it) the rest of the sailors launched and got straight into the routine of being man managed by Adam.
Keeping your head out of the boat, whilst focusing on boat handling was the first exercise, illustrated within one of Adams favourite plans, the "Gutbuster". The first attempt at Adam's Gutbuster course (start, 360 round a mark, windward mark, 360 round a mark, leeward mark) proved too much for the windy conditions so was reduced in complexity to windward/leeward with multiple starts.
Everyone capsized, but valuable lessons were learned, some key points came out. In the breeze, stand behind the mainsheet tower to add stability and keep the bow up, let the boom out over the quarter if the power is too much, you won't lose height overall, enough cunningham is not enough, tack slowly, its faster, keep a fair amount of kicker on downwind to add stability.
After a comedic review over lunch the second session occurred in less wind so more focus on sail setting and the "fourth corner" (I owe Adam £1000 apparently) was possible. Everyone putting into practice the lessons of the day, ready to come off the water for another wash up. Stuart and Adam consolidated some of the new thinking on sail and hull alignment.
Once again Adam had provided the format for the sailors to test some new things, and everyone commented how much they had gained from the sessions. Thanks to Adam for his time, but thanks also go to Chris Howe for organising on behalf of OSC and to Chris Burrows & Nicolas Perzo for driving the RIBS.
We will repeat this again next year, so please join the BCA to make it free to enter.
The Contender fleet now look forward to using these skills at the World Championship at Malcasine, Lake Garda.
If you would be interested in getting a Contender and joining the fleet, all events and classified are available at British Contender Association.