Coaching, Over-Coaching, Coaches Sailing and Fun!
by Mark Jardine 11 Nov 12:00 PST
Coach Stevie Morrison with Ellie Aldridge (GBR) after winning Women's Kite gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics © World Sailing / Sander van der Borch
A topic of discussion in many of my recent chats, and when I've been out and about at events, has been coaching. How it's done, and the impression it leaves on those learning, has profound ramifications on success at the very highest level for some, as well as long-term participation in the sport for everyone else.
Coaches leave a lasting impression. Their mentorship doesn't just guide our performance, but also shapes how we see the sport, and most importantly contributes to the enjoyment we derive from it. A very long time ago, back when I was sailing a 420, my coach was Peter Aitken, who went about things in a quiet but authoritative way. Always calm with a smile, and nothing has really changed to this day. He still helps out at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy during events, and his life continues to revolve around sailing. He loves the sport, and the enthusiasm he has is infectious. If a coach is enjoying what they do, it's far more likely that those they teach will also enjoy it.
The levels and types of coaching vary vastly. When I ran the junior and then the youth sailing at Keyhaven my focus was very much on giving the kids confidence on the water with the aim of them coming ashore smiling. On the whole we succeeded, with some deciding to take their sailing further, and others just happy to go out on the water occasionally. It wasn't for everyone, and some rightly moved on to the more intensive race training in Lymington to progress their competitive sailing. No two kids are the same, which is exactly why different types of teaching sailing are so important. Recognising who needs what, and then identifying a suitable structure for them is the trick, always trying to ensure they continue to enjoy it.
Sailing isn't alone in suffering from over-coaching. Intensive briefing, de-briefings, analysis, instruction and feedback overwhelming the sailor, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. So many sports psychologists advocate the approach of letting a person problem-solve independently, with the coach providing guidance when needed, and generally keeping an overview on progress, while always ensuring that the sailor continues to derive enjoyment from the sport.
A grounding of enjoyment from being on the water is absolutely essential, regardless of the level of sailor. I've talked to many Olympians over the years who have been through ups and downs in their sailing careers. At times everything clicks, and they are winning event after event, and it feels easy. Then comes the dip. The starts become difficult, the shifts go the other way, the trim doesn't feel quite right, and the sailor is left wondering when the next good result is going to come.
Times like these are when that love of sailing is what they fall back on. They may not be winning, but they're doing what they enjoy. The road back to top performance may be hard, but the motivation is there thanks to that.
Transitioning from one type of sailing to another can open an incredible number of opportunities. Ellie Aldridge is a prime example of a sailor who has tried many disciplines and used the experience of each to propel herself to the very highest level. Starting her sailing aged 7 in dinghies at Parkstone Yacht Club, and getting into kiteboarding for fun at the weekends, and initially joining the British Sailing Team as a dinghy sailor in 2016, before in 2018 the Kite4Gold programme helped her turn her hobby of kite foiling into something more serious. This culminated in her superb Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 and being recognised in the King's New Year's Honours with an MBE.
Along the way she also took part in the Etchells Youth Academy, further broadening her skills and experience, and adding to her growing reputation across the different disciplines. This no doubt helped her when she became a part of the British Women's America's Cup team as well as the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team. Broadening your horizons in sailing opens doors to many opportunities.
The Etchells Youth Academy is currently enrolling for its 2026 training programme, and is well worth a look, with alumni also including Vita Heathcote, Bleddyn Môn, Hattie Rogers and many more.
Last week I went down to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy to watch an RYA Coaches' Continuous Personal Development event, which brought them all together for two days of sailing in Melges 15s. Coaches usually spend a lot of time on the water, but this is mostly in a RIB watching whoever they are coaching. Seeing them all sailing against each other brought the smiles out, and it was clear those who were a little rusty were enjoying themselves immensely.
Duncan West, who is one of the great youth coaches, including classes like the RS Feva, came off the water after the first day and was grinning from ear to ear, and summed it up by saying, "It was fun! Obviously a bit of pride is at stake with all the other coaches here, and we all want to do well, but it's great being in a boat - it's what I love doing, and it's why I like coaching."
On coaching itself Duncan added, "First and foremost, in every training session, every sailor has got to enjoy it. They've got to go out and love sailing. If they don't enjoy sailing they'll give up and so however we set up the training, we just want them to have a really good time and come off the water with a buzz."
You can watch the video of the day on our YouTube channel here.
I know I've said this many times before, but whatever type of sailing you do, enjoy it, and when presented with the opportunity to try a different kind of sailing then give it a go! On Sunday at Keyhaven I was happily leading the second race of the day when I capsized to windward after a gybe, having missed the mainsheet and let the boom go way out. It cost me the race, but after a quick berating of myself, I was soon smiling again as I tried to gain back some ground. Not my finest race, but it was still a lot of fun!
Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor