RS Feva Class National Open Training "Coached Regatta" at Oxford Sailing Club
by Duncan West 8 Nov 23:32 NZDT
2-3 November 2024
RS Feva Class National Open Training - Coached Regatta at Oxford © Phil Rydin-Orwin
Last weekend 40 RS Feva sailors gathered at Oxford SC for the first of this winter's Class National Open Training "Coached Regatta".
This complements the Class Regional Squad Training and gathered sailors from as far North as St Mary's Loch SC Scotland and Bassenthwaite SC, and Starcross YC, Lyme Regis SC and St. Mawes YC in the Southwest. We also welcomed sailors from the host club local schools St Edwards, Radley and Magdalen College School. This was a wonderful opportunity for sailors to not only do some large fleet starting practice, but also to catch up with friends and make some new friends in other regions.
The intention of the weekend was to run a Coached Regatta, with the opportunity to run practice starts and lots of short races. This had the advantage of bigger fleet sizes that the sailors do not normally get access to when training in regional squads and in clubs. The coaches were able to move freely around the racecourse, talk with sailors between races to help maximise the amount of learning with effective feedback. This was an opportunity for sailors to focus on specific areas with coaches such as positioning on a start line and defending that position. Sailors could experiment and try out new approaches in a non-outcome focused environment making it lower risk for them.
With light winds forecast all weekend the sailors had a briefing ashore from the coaching team led by Duncan West and including Jake Elsbury, Julian Pearson and Hermione Stanley focusing on light wind boat set up. Sailors went afloat for some tuning runs establishing good habits, followed by some practice starts and then two 15 minute races. The club committee boat manned by parent volunteers and ex Feva sailor George ran the races. After a quick lunch stop, two more races were run before the diminishing breeze called for an early finish. Back ashore the coaches ran a carousel of sessions for the sailors and parents on; video reviews of the racing, a review of the rules when boats meet at marks (RRS 18) and how to make them work in your favour, and Feva boat "pimping".
Sunday saw a slightly stronger breeze up to 8 knots so with a view to make maximum use of the breeze one longer session was run. Again, the sailors went out and did some tuning runs followed by more racing with the coaching team discussing the racing with the sailors between each race. With the sailors ashore a full video review was led by the coaches giving more detailed feedback, followed by a prize-giving with Magdalen sailors Chariton and Eric winning an award for the sailors who showed the best effort and engagement in there learning.
A big thank you to Oxford SC for hosting the training, and the parent volunteers. We look forward to seeing more boats at Draycote for the next National Open Training, March 8th & 9th.