TRAINING & COACHING PROGRAMME

NEW FOR 2009!

 

1 SATURDAY AFTERNOONS

There will be Sailing for All from May through to September. 

Beginners will join the RYA Training courses to learn and improve their sailing skills.  Once they have mastered their Basic Skills, they will move on to the Coaching Sessions where they will use and develop those skills through a variety of supervised activity.

The RYA Training will follow the Youth Scheme through Stages 1 to 4 and for the Adults through Levels 1 and 2.  The aim of these courses is to start people on their sailing career with a good grounding in the basic techniques and to give them the knowledge and confidence to be able to go out sailing without assistance – in the right conditions.  The training will be split into two sessions of 10 afternoons with flexible progression through the stages and levels of the courses. (see below for course fees)

The Coaching Sessions will provide supervised sailing activity ranging from games on the water, mini races or trips round the bay on treasure hunts.  These will include the Cadets as well as all other members looking to enjoy some sailing in company with the chance to learn and improve their boat handling. These sessions are free with members paying for the use of Club boats if required.

Mike Goodall and his team of Instructors and Assistants will deliver the RYA Training and David Donaldson with a team of Assistant Coaches will look after the Coaching Sessions. 

They will be happy to answer any queries on this by phone or by e-mail

 

Mike Goodall - Tel 01292 287395 email trainingofficer@prestwicksailingclub.co.uk

David Donaldson - Tel 01560 600395 emal cadetcapatain@prestwicksailingclub.co.uk

 

 

2 TUESDAY EVENINGS

More coaching will be organised during the season on Tuesday Evenings. On some Tuesdays, there will be coaching on specific topics, see Calendar.

 

3 CLASS COACHING

Last year’s class coaching session for the RS300’s was a great success and so coaching days will be offered for two classes this year. First day is for Lasers on Saturday 6th June, then it is the turn of the RS300s on Saturday 15th August. Sailors of all levels will benefit immensely so do not miss these great opportunities to pick up tips from top sailors.

 

RYA Course Fees

Fees cover the cost of course material and the maintenance of the training and safety boats.

 

Members

Non-members

Cadets  10 afternoons Stages 1 to 4

£50-00

N/A*

Cadets  2 day course (eg Powerboat L2 )

£20-00

N/A*

Adults  10 afternoons Levels 1 & 2

£80-00

£100-00**

Adults  2 day course (eg Powerboat L2)

£40-00

N/A

*Children 16 or under must be members to receive training
** £20-00 discount on membership if joining after completing the course.

 

 

 

CADETS

PSC’s Cadet section promotes sailing and builds confidence/team work amongst the young sailors.  Through courses, other sailing activities (games, introduction to racing, skills practice), cadets develop individual skill and awareness of what is happening around them.

From May to September, there will be activities on Saturday afternoons (weather permitting) for cadets.  The main boat type used is the Topper, and it is expected that Cadets, when they have achieved reasonable competence, will buy their own boats to allow club boats to be used by others just beginning.

To assist in the smooth running of the Cadets, it is requested that parents give assistance where required (rigging boats, launching and retrieving boats, putting boats away, helping in the galley etc).

Over and above the Saturday afternoons, when Cadets have achieved a certain level of competence, they may participate in club racing on Thursday evenings, Sunday afternoons or ad hoc training events held on Tuesday evenings. If experienced cadets prefer not to participate in any of these organised events, they can go sailing independently, after notifying the safety boat driver, and keeping within sight of the safety boat driver.

 

 

RACE OFFICER’S INSTRUCTIONS

 

Before the Racing Starts

  1. Arrive at the Club at least 1 hour before the scheduled start time (See Fixture/ Race Calendar) and if possible obtain a weather forecast (Suitable sites include www.meto.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/swscotland and use info for Ayr or www.meto.gov.uk/datafiles/inshore which will give the inshore situation for the Clyde Estuary and the Mull of Kintyre or www.ukie.accuweather.com and go to sailing.)
  2. Hoist Club Pennant and Ensign on the flagpole.
  3. Establish wind speed and direction using instruments and check the first reading several times over a period of 5 minutes to verify initial wind direction and speed.
  4. Select course from Standard Course Chart.
  5. The course chosen should be indicated on the club blackboard, or an indication that the course will be advised on the water. Lay out completed race sheets for competitors to enter the racing. This should be completed at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  6. Brief safety boat crew and complete the following pre-launch checks:

 

The boat is fully equipped as per the “Inventory Check Sheets”
The fuel tank is full and petrol/oil is correctly mixed, if applicable. New RIB is four stroke, so uses petrol only.
The RIB hull are correctly inflated and pump adaptor covers have been securely replaced

Engine has been test run ashore including operation of gears, throttle, steering and “Kill Cords”

Radios tested and set on channel “M2”
All safety equipment is stored and secured safely on the boat
To start and finish races on the water the boat should be equipped with Flags – No. 1, No. 2, P, S, L, M and the First Substitute.

Course Numbers, Race Recording sheet and pencil, Whistle or horn.

The safety boat should be launched at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start time and any additional marks that require to be laid should be laid at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

 

Starting the Racing

  1. Start on time. Waiting for late boats is unfair to the boats that are at the start line on time.
  2. Race start sequencing should be as per the “Local Sailing Instructions”
  3. Follow the procedures in the Local Sailing Instructions and record any boats that do not comply with regard to premature starting and not returning correctly – these boats are disqualified and given a result of “On Course Side” (OCS).
  4. Two boats are needed to make a valid race. These can be one Fast and one Slow.

 

During the Race
During the race the Race Officer should record any boats retiring from the race and who may need assistance to get ashore safely – If necessary instruct safety boat crews to provide assistance. During the race the Race Officer must record each boat passing through the finish line at the end of each lap. This should be done on the race entry sheet or alternatively on the recording sheets.

 

Finishing the Race
The race duration should be as per the club Sailing Instructions.
Since all racing with the exception of any Pursuit races will be run on “Average Laps” it will be necessary to shorten the race as per the Local Sailing Instructions. The course can only be shortened with average laps at the end of each round. Do not worry if the wind fails on this last lap and the time limit is exceeded, the results from the previous round should be used to calculate the final result. If this situation occurs it will be necessary to “Abandon the Race” as per the RRS. At the finish record all finish times and give one sound signal for each finisher.

 

After the Race

  1. If more than one race is scheduled check that the course is still suitable and if required make the necessary changes.
  2. Start the second and subsequent races as quickly as possible after the finish of the preceding race and once all competitors have been advised of any changes to the course to be sailed.
  3. Once all racing has been completed calculate the corrected times and prepare a final race result sheet.
  4. Liaise with the Safety boat crews and ensure they complete the “End of Sailing” check sheets to ensure that any defects can be corrected before the safety boat and other equipment is required again.
  5. Remove flags from the Flagpole and return to their correct storage pigeon hole if dry. If wet lay the flags out in the Race Management Room to allow them to dry naturally.
  6. Leave the race office tidy and post the race sheets through the letter box in the Sailing Captain’s cupboard.

 

SAFETY BOAT CREW INSTRUCTIONS

 

Most club members are listed for safety duty, as either helm or crew. These instructions can help you do this duty well. Although it is accepted that all experienced dinghy sailors are fully responsible for their boat’s seaworthiness and the decision whether or not to sail, it has also become an accepted part of dinghy racing that some form of safety cover is provided.

 

These notes will help the safety crew

 

In the area of racing keep a keen watch on competitors and on non competitors. If the weather is severe all non competitors should also try to stay within a close distance of the racing area and should be instructed to do so.

 

The club has two RIBs and a Shetland, all of which are very sound and ideal for dealing with dinghy racing. Note that the new RIB has a fourstroke engine, so its fuel is petrol, with no oil mixed in. The old RIB and Shetland both have two stroke engines, requiring a petrol/ oil mix.
All boats have dry boxes with some tools and a survival bag, first-aid kits, anchor and mooring lines and a tow rope. First Aid is difficult on the water and the kits are more or less limited to bandages and dressings to stop bleeding. Subtlety is not needed: if a sailor is bleeding, slap on a wound pad and bind it to them with a bandage and get them ashore.

The safety boat crews should be dressed to get wet and to keep warm whilst sitting inactive on the water.
The club has an onshore radio and several waterproof portable radios. They should be used to maintain effective communications between the Race Officer and the Safety Boat crew.

 

Before Going Onto the Water

  1. Prepare the safety boat and liaise with the Race Officer that all pre-launch checks on all safety boats to be used for the day have been completed.
  2. Discuss with the Race Officer the course to be sailed and which part of the course area to patrol.
  3. If there are Non Racing boats going afloat, particularly new members and/or junior sailors it may be necessary to give them instructions to sail in a location close to the shore and/or north or south of the clubhouse to ensure a minimum hazard. The safety boat is on the water to assist all our sailors and where necessary any other water users in Prestwick Bay.
  4. Launch the safety boat 20 minutes before the scheduled start time of the racing.

 

Whilst On the Water

  1. Position the safety boat as instructed by the Race Officer and in the absence of instructions position the boat at the gybe mark and where it is possible to keep a watchful eye on other water users. Keep regular counts of boats on the water and discuss and agree this count with the Race Officer.
  2. Inform the Race Officer of any boats retiring from the race and keep a close eye on them to make sure they reach the shore safely.
  3. For any boats that get into trouble move to assist. Position the safety boat to the side of the direction of drift of the boat in trouble and establish firstly that all crew members are okay.
  4. If the safety boat crew are required to pick up a crew member or assist in righting the boat, taking sails or masts down, the safety boat must only approach the troubled boat from a down wind position and once in contact the gearbox must be moved to the neutral position to ensure the propeller is stopped. Approaching a stricken boat or person in the water boat from an up wind position is extremely dangerous and the momentum of the safety boat could cause serious damage or injury.
  5. After racing is finished for the day, proceed ashore. If any boats wish to remain on the water advise them that the safety boat is heading ashore. If the wind is blowing offshore and only one boat remains on the water please advise them to proceed ashore – PSC Standing Orders require two sailing dinghies or two windsurfers to be afloat in an offshore wind.

 

After Sailing

  1. Remove all additional gear from the boat and store as appropriate.
  2. Run the engine with water circulating and remove the fuel cable from the engine. Run the engine until it stops when the carburettor is empty.
  3. Fill fuel tank(s)
  4. Complete along with the Race Officer the “End of Sailing” Check list
  5. Lock and secure the safety boat garage.