Half Term Junior Race Training at Dell Quay Sailing Club
by Roger Francis 30 Nov 2025 09:43 UTC
Half Term Junior Race Training at Dell Quay © Roger Francis
Dell Quay Sailing Club Coaches ran a new Autumn half term two-day race training course for Juniors holding RYA level 3-4. The forecast was NW F3-4 gusting F5-6 on the Monday, and SW similar strength on the Tuesday.
Seven keen racers signed on to race RS Fevas, alongside two more in a 420. With two Coaches, and 2-3 DI's /AI's, the Students were spoilt with a coaching ratio of nearly one Coach/Instructor per Student.
On day one, the wind was typically a F3 in the lulls, with sudden F5 gusts, and being a North Westerly very shifty at Dell Quay. Coaching focussed on sail control adjustments and body positioning for fluctuating challenging wind conditions. This was delivered by a clubhouse briefing, on-water coaching, then clubhouse de-briefing.
The DIs and AIs initially took the helms, before handing over control to Students.
Helms and crews were rotated within and between boats, building confidence in one-another and learning from each other. Focus was primarily on boat handling skills around different legs of a racing course, keeping the boat flat by bearing away slightly in gusts and luffing up in the lulls.
On day 2 the wind was South Westerly, warmer, much steadier and stronger. The Coach picked a sailing area between Bowling and Kiln where the wind was at the top end of a F4, with F5-F6 gusts. The RS Fevas were joined by a Laser Radial and a 420. Focus was on boat handing skills, balance, body position, power and sail trim. The Students excelled in boat handling, with/without spinnaker. The whole session was virtually constant sub-planing and planning conditions.
My takeaway from this was the magnitude of confidence and boat handling skills gained by all Students over just 2 days. All very worthwhile, well done the Coaches and Organisers.