Merlin Rocket Class Training at Hayling Island - March 2025
by Megan Pascoe 6 Mar 09:44 UTC
1-2 March 2025
Merlin Rocket Class Training at Hayling Island © Rob O'Neill
The Merlin class has been running organised class training since the Olympics were last held in Spain. If you're under 30 it's a while ago.
As a fleet we are always keen to help everyone in the class to help improve their sailing and enjoyment in the class. With that in mind last October we were planning for 2025. Looking at the calendar the only option was to put training on before the season started. Hence a trip to HISC on the 1st/2nd March. It could have been a bit risky on the weather front, but we've proven that sometimes it is worth the risk. Although don't stand too close to me for the rest of the year as I think I've used most of my luck.
During the week the wind was looking a little light but as any Merlin sailor knows you can't get through Salcombe week without a 2-knot drift so it's worth practising.
We had nine boats turn up and with Mike and Jane Calvert, Graham Williamson, Rob Henderson and Chris Gould coaching we were set for a great weekend. When you arrive and the sun is shining you know it is a good start, we even had a sea breeze and a decent gradient breeze. As many put it, perfect perching weather.
We managed lots of sailing over the weekend concentrating on starting, tacking, gybing, two boat tuning and everything else in between. Everybody managed to work on what they wanted to over the couple of days but also things they didn't know they needed to learn. Even when you've been sailing Merlins for a number of years there is still something to learn.
With two weeks to go to the first Craftinsure Silver Tiller in Salcombe a concentrated weekend of practice was just what the doctor ordered. Thanks to all the sailors for having faith that March was a good time to go training. To all the coaches for making the sessions effortless. To HISC for providing a great venue and service. It was so easy to book, and everyone was so helpful with all the random requests a class association comes up with.
We are planning more training in the future to help build and develop the class and hopefully get people getting faster.