Please select your home edition
Edition
SOUTHERN-SPARS-AGLAIA-SPARS_728X90 TOP

ILCA Women's Coaching Day at Queen Mary Sailing Club

by Suzie Munnery, Littleton SC 30 Oct 19:22 NZDT 26 October 2024

Female sailors from as far afield as Chew Valley, Rutland and Bexhill descended on Queen Mary SC to take part in the inaugural ILCA Women's Coaching Day led by Ellie Cumpsty and an all-female coaching team.

Twenty-four sailors turned up but sadly the wind didn't, so Ellie, Georgina Povall and Bryony Sharpen rose to the challenge to deliver a shore based session of rigging and sail shaping appreciated by novices and experienced ILCA sailors alike. No one will forget Ellie's focus (obsession?) with the "4th Corner".

Sailors took to the water for an afternoon session of balance points, roll-tacking and practice starts. With Georgina's mantra - "if you're not swimming, you're not trying" ringing in our ears, we demonstrated a variety of capsize techniques!

I don't see myself as someone who seeks out a women's only session. My club is full of friendly and approachable guys who have provided help and guidance since I joined, but I'm probably a bit of a convert. The all-female environment created an open and enquiring feel that made everyone feel relaxed. Through the course of the day I could see even the least confident sailors in progress and grow. And most of all laugh!

Cagil from London Corinthians commented, "I am new to ILCA and I've often found it a bit intimating The women's training on Saturday created a welcoming and positive environment that made us all feel much more confident about our sailing. We've learned from our coaches, but we've also learned from each other. Ellie and Georgina have shown us ways to determine our goals and succeed in them."

If you can get yourself to ILCA Women's Coaching events I strongly recommend it. Each of us gained in confidence and knowledge and I'm struck by the incredible talents of the female coaches from British Sailing. Their passion is infectious and their knowledge second to none, resulting in a day filled with laughs but built firmly on personal growth and development.

I guess it's consistent with the inclusive theme of the day that everyone left with 'merch' from Queen Mary SC and SailingFast.

Queen Mary invited all participants to join their famously competitive club racing on Sunday morning, but once again the wind failed to show. Fingers crossed for next time.

Queen Mary will be hosting the next ILCA Women's Coaching Day in March led by Ellie and her team. This one sold out pretty quickly, so keep an eye on the QM and ILCA websites to snag a place.

Related Articles

Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling - regular entries close on December 31 Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW). Posted on 12 Nov
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion! Posted on 7 Nov
Vendee Globe: 'Crazy Kiwi' racing on renewables
Conrad Colman plans on repeating his 2015/26 feat racing without the use of fossil fuel In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the first competitor in Vendee Globe history to finish without using a drop of fossil fuel during his circumnavigation. He plans on repeating the feat in the upcoming Vendee Globe race. Posted on 30 Oct
Predictwind is official partner of Vendee Globe
PredictWind will bring fans into the Vendée Globe action with a world-first Race Weather Centre Global leader in marine weather forecasting, PredictWind, has announced its official partnership with IMOCA - one of the fastest and most exciting offshore yacht racing classes - to become the exclusive Weather Data Supplier for the Vendée Globe 2024. Posted on 22 Oct
NZ Marine industry celebrates Am Cup Defence
NZ marine technology and innovation is used both by its own and other teams contesting the Cup While New Zealand sailors are considered among the world's best, the country's marine technology and innovation is used both by its own team, and by the teams contesting the America's Cup. Posted on 19 Oct
New facilities attract more superyachts to NZ
Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season. The report has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives. Posted on 11 Oct
Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
Check the rules before summer boating starts 
Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across mar Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across marine pest risks and rules before heading out on the water this summer. Posted on 24 Sep
17 NZ marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey'
Kiwi marinas make big steps in environmental performance : 17 marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey' The $540 million marina and boatyard industry is on a mission to minimise its environmental impact, particularly in relation to coastal water quality. Posted on 21 Sep
Southern Spars at the Monaco Yacht Show
From America's Cup technology to the World's largest sailing catamaran: Connect with Southern Spars The Monaco Yacht Show is the showcase event for innovation in the superyacht industry and as the global leader in high-performance composite rig technology for luxury yachts, Southern Spars is excited to attend again in 2024. Posted on 19 Sep
PredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMMotomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOMDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px-03 BOTTOM