Optimist Girls at Rutland Water 16-7 March 2002

On 16/17th March 28 Optimist sailors turned up Saturday morning for the girls residential weekend at Rutland Water for sailing, socialising and some sleep! The weather was extremely kind to us considering so many training weekends in 2002 have been plagued with winds where everyone is concerned with just surviving as opposed to sailing. A steady 2 blew most of Saturday with quite a bit of sunshine - great light winds training conditions.

Kirsty Bonar led the on-water training, ably assisted by Nicki Barnes, Katie Archer and Suzanne Hamilton. Seven mums opted to stay at the centre and all acted as house parents which meant the work load was spread and they all had a bit of R & R too.

All 28 boats launched on Saturday morning about 10.30 a.m. after a short briefing. The sailors ranged in ages from 9-14 and levels from Grade II to National Squad. The team spirit was superb and they soon were all learning the art of buddying up when launching (there were a few trolley dollies on hand to help anyway!)

Saturday afternoon saw the girls divided into groups so the more experienced could gain some valuable coaching tips relevant to the selections, which start very soon and the slightly less experienced to learn more about racing and positioning on the line, generally to broaden their sailing knowledge.

Di Statham came on Saturday evening and had a chat (with visual aids) about the European and World events, the fun and cameraderie, the t-shirt swopping and oppie sail signing. But more importantly to stress the need for sailors to be part of a team, to learn how to be more self-reliant not only with their boats but with their own kit and their food and liquid intake. Something for all the girls to aspire too. Before our video and popcorn evening (for those concerned both salty and sweet was on offer) we had an informal chat about mother ships, the role of the day mother, ponchos, buckit and chuckit and other related issues. Then we all drooled over Mel Gibson and went to bed.

A bit of a shock for some but everyone was up at 8 a.m. for fitness training. The weather soon changed from the rainy start and by 10.30 everyone was again on the water. Sunday saw some racing practice and we even joined with the North Zone Squad training for some bigger starts. Thanks guys.

All in all I hope you all feel you had a very enjoyable weekend. I know the adults were impressed by your behaviour - well done. The trainers were terrific and participated the whole weekend calling on their own experiences to highlight our evening chat session. Thank you to all of them.

We have two dates outlined for the next girls weekend 9/10 November provisionally at Bewl Water (it would appear you would all like residential weekends so I will put my thinking cap on) and 1/2 March 2003 again at Rutland (to be confirmed). Put the dates in your diaries.

Have a great sailing season now all the open meetings are starting and don't forget - get up on that start line!

D de B

Optimist girls at Bewl Valley SC 3-4 Nov 2001

Bewl Valley SC hosted the final girls-only Optimist training event for 2001 on Nov 3-4 with a turnout of 45 girls, aged from 8-14 years, from as far away as the Channel Islands, Derbyshire and Exmouth. Warm sunny conditions prevailed with very light winds on the Saturday to test roll tacking and kiting before a tactics and rules chat with Peter Martin. After supper in the clubhouse, the girls experienced some hilarious team building games. Sunday dawned misty and chilly but the sun soon cleared the air although wind was non-existent! The girls carried out MOT-type inspections on their boats to try and pick up some extra speed tips before taking part in the club racing once the breeze had filled in. A good weekend for tuning up for light weather! After the traditional Oppy tea, the girls departed having made lots of new friends. A good weekend for tuning up for light weather! After the traditional Oppy tea, the girls departed having made lots of new friends. A big thank-you to all parents for bringing their girls and helping during the weekend and especially to Bewl Valley for making us all so welcome. Young, Bewl sailor, Alice Murch won the prize draw of a buoyancy aid, for which all the girls attending the weekend were entered.