The Dun Laoghaire Youth Laser training program will be run as a collaboration between RSGYC and NYC but based out of the RSGYC.  With a total of 38 sailors attending the program in autumn of 2019, we are currently the largest fleet of youth sailors in Ireland.  Currently, we have 17 sailors from RSGYC, 12 from NYC and 5 from RIYC in the program, with 10 sailors in radials and 28 in 4.7’s.  The large numbers allow for “big fleet” coaching and also brings a social aspect to the program.  The coaching is designed to prepare sailors to compete in the regional events, trials and nationals.  This spring, we will specifically focus on preparing the 4.7 sailors for the trials at Easter time and the Radial sailors for the Europeans which will be in Ballyholme in early July 2020.  View the Laser events calendar at https://laser-.  Sailors who are graduating from Optimist or Topper where they competed in regional and national events will quickly adjust to the 4.7 and are welcome to join the coaching program.

We are fortunate to have an excellent panel of coaches, including Conor O’Beirne, Henry Higgins, Toby Hudson Fowler and Jack Fahy. We intend grouping sailors to maintain a coach-to-sailor ratio of around seven and expect to have two to three 4.7 groups and one group of radials.  The program will be managed by our coaches and they will be the first point of contact.  The overall philosophy of the group is that it is sailor driven and not parent-driven.  Regular coaching will be on a Sunday morning and we intend having occasional multi-day clinics where possible.

SUNDAY  TIMING:

09:00  Arrival

09.30  Sailors rigged and ready for briefing

10:00  Launch

13.00  Ashore

13:30  Lunch and Debrief

14:30  Departure

Notes:

• Earlier timing facilitates sailors who wish to also participate in the Frostbite series with a first gun at 14:00.
• The program is open to all full and country members of either RIYC, RSGYC or NYC with boat parking paid.
• All sailors are to launch from their home clubs and not from the RSGYC where there is currently very limited deck space.
• Signing up for the program will be run on a per-per-session basis and to facilitate organisation, we will be CLOSING SIGNUPS on the Thursday at midnight preceding the coaching session.

The post DUN LAOGHAIRE YOUTH LASER COACHING SPRING PROGRAM; appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

Book online here

SAILOR ABILITY

Our Junior Oppie program typically has a group of between 6 and 10 sailors aged between 9 and 11 years of age. 

There are 2 levels of ability catered for:

REGATTA FLEET:  sailors who are able to tack, gybe, beat, run, reach and are able to get around a race course. These sailors are not yet racing but are looking to learn some of the basic skills and rules. 

JUNIOR FLEET:  sailors are looking to start racing in the IODAI junior fleet in 2018. These sailors have mastered the basic sailing rules and are now focusing on race technique, rules and start strategy.  

Our lead coach is Cian Cahill who has extensive Oppie training experience and he aims to keep the training fun, low pressure and above all, safe. He is accompanied by a second assistant coach and this allows them to split the group into 2 to facilitate both ability levels.

We will be training on Sunday afternoons and will be extending our sailing hours as the temperatures rise and the days lengthen.   When weather forces us to cancel sailing, we will instead focus that training day on theory and land based training.

Spring 2018 we will run 3 programs on the following dates:

DATES & TIMES:

1. February/ March Course:            25th Feb, 4th March, 11th March, 18th March
2. April Course:                                   15th April, 22nd April, 29th April
3. May Course:                                     6th May, 13th may, 27th May

• 11:30 arrival for those who need to learn to rig. 
• 12:00 arrival for those who know how to rig and change in 30 min!
• 12:30 Rigged and ready; briefing
• 13:00 Launch
• 15:00 approximate time of return, de-rig and debrief
• 16:00 finish

COACHES:

Our coaching staff will be headed up by Cian Cahill and have been selected on their sailing coaching experience as well as their ability to connect well with children.  We intend maintaining a coach to sailor ratio of around 1:6 ensuring individual attention and an excellent level of coaching.

The coaches will teach the sailors to rig their own boats and to launch without parental help.  Teamwork between the sailors will be encouraged.

We will try and coordinate our coaching activities with those of the RIYC and the NYC to facilitate better safety and collaboration on the water.

EQUIPMENT: 

RSGYC does have some charter boats available for booking, but it is advisable that the sailors have their own equipment.  It is imperative that they have adequate warm sailing gear and that the boats have all appropriate safety equipment. If you wish to book a Club Optimist for a block of sessions please contact Bonita in the Sailing Office at sailing@rsgyc.ie .

We are looking at putting on a “buy-and-sell” date for 2nd hand equipment within the coming weeks.

EXPECTATIONS:

• Volunteering: Parents will be expected to volunteer to help with the coaching sessions and we will run a roster for sign-up.
• Punctuality: All sailors must be rigged and ready by 12:30am
• Rigging: Coaches are there to teach the sailors to rig their boats but not to rig for them.  Sailors who do not know how to rig should arrive earlier to allow time for the coaches to instruct them.
• Food: all sailors should have had lunch before arriving and should have water and snacks for on the water
• Safety: Before getting onto the water, the boats will be inspected to ensure that all safety equipment is in good working order.  All sailors are expected to dress for the conditions and to follow all safety instructions given by the coaches.

PRICING:

Each block of courses is based on a per session fee of €25.  Sailors are expected to sign up for the full block of course dates and cannot pay for ad-hoc dates. No refunds are issued for missed sessions unless the sessions are cancelled by the Club in advance of the sailing day.

All payments and bookings can be completed using the above link which will take you to our secure online booking form.

COMMUNICATION

We will be setting up a George Oppie WhatsApp group to facilitate rapid communication amongst the group.

 Robbie Walker- RSGYC Optimist Class Captain

+353 87 4000045

The post Junior Optimist Spring Training appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

This midterm, there will be a Laser training camp run by Rory McStay and Dan O’Beirne

The post Mid Term Laser Training Camp appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

The RSGYC Junior Winter Coaching program kicks off on Sunday with the Optimist fleet taking to the water to start their Winter Coaching.

Winter Coaching gives sailors the opportunity to build on their skills gained from the summer sailing in smaller groups, assuring individual attention and targeted coaching and feedback, which ensures sailors progress efficiently with their sailing skills and experience.

Experience has shown that those sailors who continue to sail throughout the autumn, winter, and spring tend to progress quickly and build significant skills, confidence, and sailing knowledge.
Each Class will have different goals and session plans with the end goal for each sailor having improved significantly on their sailing skills and knowledge.

Coaching will take place on Sundays in September, October, and November with the annual ‘Christmas Cracker Regatta’ concluding the sailing for 2016 on Dec 6th for all classes.  Each sailing class of Optimists, Fevas, Toppers, and Lasers will have experienced class-specific sailing coaches, who in consultation with the Class Captain, have designed a coaching program for each class. After the first session, there will be a class review of goals for the winter coaching and a pathway for all sailors to progress.

The post Junior Winter Coaching Starts This Weekend – Sign Up Now! appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.