Midlands Optimist Class Open Race Training  

Training and race development for all Optimist helms who are able to sail a triangular course.

The Midlands Optimist Class Open Training Programme 2021-2 aims to give our young sailors in the Midlands region an opportunity to have fun sailing together and to support and develop them to compete in regional and national race events next year. Qualified instructors / coaches will lead each session, providing skills development and race training. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a head start for next season. Sessions will include a mix of boat speed and boat handling, rules and tactics. We will also be boosting sailors confidence sailing in the stronger winds we typically get through the winter.  

For examples of the material we might cover, see the IOCA Grade 4 and Racing awards in Section 2 of the logbook (see Documents). The programme for each day will depend on weather conditions and the sailors. Sailors will come ashore for lunch. The aim is to build a group of friends who enjoy meeting up and sailing together. There are lots of shorebased activities we can do with this group and so we intend to go ahead with each training day even if weather is inclement.  

Come, join in and make friends with other optimist sailors from our region.

Dates:
Wed 27 - Fri 29 Oct 2021 Draycote Water Sailing Club ( click here )
Sat 4 Dec 2021 (Barnt Green SC)
Sat 29 Jan 2022 (South Staffs SC)
Sat 19 Feb 2022 (Banbury SC)
Date tbc Mar-Apr 2022 (Midland SC)

Who it is for: Midlands Optimist Helms who are able to sail a triangular course (ie RYA Stage 3 or nearly there).

Time: Rigged and changed for briefing at 10am, finish by 4pm

What to bring: own optimist boat, winter sailing kit (drysuit or Winter wetsuit plus layers), woolly hat, winter sailing gloves, racing watch.

All sailors will need to have a responsible adult on-site during the day and support from parents/guardians will be needed. Sailors do need to bring their own boat. 

The first training over Oct half term is run by Optimist class association national team and sailors should book in directly on the IOCA website ( click here ).

Organising Authority

All training you book directly through this page is administered and insured by the Midlands region of INTERNATIONAL OPTIMIST CLASS ASSOCIATION (UK) LIMITED Company number 09779102 under Policy No: 6686206 Section 8. 

£5 of the training fee each day is temporary membership of IOCA and can be refunded to you if you subsequently purchase a full year membership of IOCA to attend further events. 

Cancellation

We do need a minimum of five sailors for each training day in order to go ahead. Due to the logistics of booking sailing clubs and coaches we are unable to re-schedule events due to weather but do have fun shore based activities to continue sailors development. If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible. A full refund will be offered for cancellation with 14 days or more notice. 

Please contact Jon Smith on midlands@optimist.org.uk if you have any questions using the link below

Contact: