What a glorious summer for sailing dinghies. This was out second year offering Dinghy Skills training. We ran from mid-June to mid-September. Thank you to all the volunteers.
Bridging the gap
There is a massive gap between completing beginner training such as CanSail-2 and finding a regular sailing opportunity, competently running your own boat or participating in NSC’s weekly Dinghy Race nights. There are multiple hurdles to overcome: knowing other dinghy sailors to get advice and sailing opportunities, finding a boat to buy, understanding how to race, and having the experience and confidence to be out on the water alone.
NSC’s Dinghy Skills program ensures that new dinghy sailors have the opportunity to practise their sailing skills in a weekly, low stress, coached training environment. We provided a supportive environment for new sailors to gain the all-important time on the water. A secondary goal was to get to know other dinghy sailors. And they a fun bunch!
And it works. 2 participants bought under-used racing dinghies in NSC’s Park, and those boats are now out regularly.
Building confidence
It’s a big lake out there, when you are in a little boat. We have therefore been strengthening our Support Boat volunteer capability.
Early in the year, our race bosuns provided orientation on NSC’s powerboats to race committee and support boat volunteers, and Gad Perry ran rescue boat training. This was integral to making the dinghy program a success (and integral to boosting participation at our regattas). A huge thank you to Ted Ceelen, Neil Knudsen, Andrea O’Brien and Eric Massicotte – they all took those trainings and regularly supported the dinghy skill evenings. Dinghy Skills evenings allowed them to practice their support-boat skills
Race Bosun Siqi supported the sessions in June. The July and August sessions were led by skilled instructor Spencer Anderton.
Approximately ten boats participated every evening, including catamaran, Laser, Albacore, Norseboat and NSC-owned 420.
Feedback
Feedback from the 2024 Dinghy Skills survey:
- Excellent opportunity to improve boat handling skills in a learning environment rather than a competitive one (that will come later).
- This was my second year participating in the Dinghy Skills program and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet other sailors, develop my skills, and get in race practice in a casual and non-competitive environment. Thank you for offering it!
- Relaxed practice atmosphere, professional race coaching, getting to meet other club members.
- I want to thank the volunteers and the club for this opportunity. It’s been the reason why I can get better at sailing.
Note from the Fleet Captain – Thank-you to Leo Evans for being the energy behind the Dinghy Skills program. This is an important pathway to sailing. We intend to continue the program in 2025. – Dominic.
