We arrived at Looe fairly early, having stayed with relatives nearby the night before.
So far, it looks like there are a dozen or so boats - no doubt others will arrive tomorrow, ready for the first race on Sunday.
The sea-front is looking crowded already.
Some of us "pond sailors" signed up for some sea training. Today's training was led by Jules Ford, who is a former GP14 sailor and is now a professional coach.
The objective was to learn to sail in high winds and waves. The wind was 11 to 16 knots and the waves less than a meter, so ideal conditions to practice in.
The first challenge was to navigate down the concrete slipway at Looe and along the river to the open sea. After some "No, after You" discussions some brave souls ventured out and we were heading for the English Channel and a westerly breeze.
The first exercise was a simple windward / leeward course, learning to adjust the mainsail settings as we hit the top of the wave, and to surf down the waves with the spinnaker flying downwind.
As we were in the open water, there was plenty of opportunity to practice each technique. The beats just seemed to go on forever. Surfing was also fun - the boat gives you areal kick when the wave catches you and forces you forward.
Simon & I had a great time - trying to time the attack to each wave-top, and make sure we didn't lose out in the troughs. I still have a terrible tendency to "pinch", though. Give that there were a dozen boats, we had some interesting fleet racing at times.
The next exercise was practicing lay-line approaches. We went wide of the mark and tried to judge if we would get to it, or have to go higher. A bit of anxiety built up as we appprached each buoy.
Simon & I had a great time - trying to time the attack to each wave-top, and make sure we didn't lose out in the troughs. I still have a terrible tendency to "pinch", though. Give that there were a dozen boats, we had some interesting fleet racing at times.
The next exercise was practicing lay-line approaches. We went wide of the mark and tried to judge if we would get to it, or have to go higher. A bit of anxiety built up as we appprached each buoy.
The weather persisted, and we did an exercise of "hardening up" to order. Our boat speed seemed reasonable in the beats, as we were (just !) keeping up with our opposition boats from the Welsh Harp.
For the final session of "follow my leader", Szymon Matyjaszczuk took over as crew from Simon. We had to match speed with other boats, then head up into a Beat on a whistle.
We also had a game of "river banks" - two power boats who attempted to squeeze the fleet together in order to simulate close-quarter boat-on-boat situations.
All too soon it was over, and Szymon suggested we fly the spinnaker home. We screamed in on a plane with three sails, then had to wait whilst other boats vacated the slipway.
Back at the club, Jules went through the lessons learnt, fielded questions and played back some of the videos from the session.
For the final session of "follow my leader", Szymon Matyjaszczuk took over as crew from Simon. We had to match speed with other boats, then head up into a Beat on a whistle.
We also had a game of "river banks" - two power boats who attempted to squeeze the fleet together in order to simulate close-quarter boat-on-boat situations.
All too soon it was over, and Szymon suggested we fly the spinnaker home. We screamed in on a plane with three sails, then had to wait whilst other boats vacated the slipway.
Back at the club, Jules went through the lessons learnt, fielded questions and played back some of the videos from the session.
Tomorrow's training is on gate starts. Can't wait !
I think I will sleep well tonight.
I think I will sleep well tonight.
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