Home > Optimist Coaching > Optimist Winter Training 2025/26
Optimist Winter Training 2025/26
We are exited to announce the launch of the Royal Lymington Winter Training weekends, open to sailors at every level, and to both members and non-members. Our training programme and strong coaching line up is equally ideal for those looking to maintain skills out of season, progress to the next fleet, or spend time honing specific racing techniques and improve performance.
The training is designed to give sailors the best winter training possible, sailing out of Lymington, with flexible programmes to suit each group, whatever the weather conditions. The time together will develop friendships between sailors of all ages, and build a camaraderie that will last through their time in Oppies. Our coaches will be supported by the fleet captains and parent volunteers on and off the water.
Saturday Skills Day
After whole group Activation and briefing, sailors will be split into coaching groups and assigned a dedicated coach for the day (max ratio 8:1). The aim of the skills day is to work on boat setup, handling skills and improving boat speed using drills set by the coach. Groups will be reviewed across each session, and may change to maximise effectiveness.
Sunday Race Day
Sailors will be split into groups and assigned a coach for the day who will provide an initial briefing before heading on the water. Our race series will operate across the Winter Training series, and will operate as "coached racing", with coaches on hand to support sailors as appropriate during and between races. Once ashore, sailors will take part in a debrief.
Programme
13-14 Sep
18-19 Oct
08-09 Nov
06-07 Dec
17-18 Jan
07-08 Feb
07-08 Mar
Coaching will be operating across all fleets: Coached Regatta / Regatta / Main Fleet.
- Main Fleet will operate from 9am-4pm each day, and should expect to take lunch on the water for one single longer session, plus classroom time ashore.
- Our Regatta Fleets will target a shorter day on the water, centred around high water (where possible). Classroom sessions and lunch will form part of the day ashore. Full details to follow.
Tell your friends and Sign Up!
Sign up is via Webcollect, our event registration and booking system.
- Family Member: £25 per day
- Junior Member:£35 per day
- Non-Member: £50 per day
If you are interested in joining the RLymYC then please give the office a call on 01590 672677.
Spaces are opened based on previous demand, but please add your name to the waiting list if spaces are sold out, and we will look to source more coaches to allow further participants to join.
Please could we ask that you give at least one week's notice if you need to cancel your booking in order to obtain a refund. We are then able to co ordinate the correct amount of coaches for the group without letting our coaches down at the last minute. Unfortunately we are unable to provide a refund with less than one week's notice.
Parents must also complete the junior and adult consent forms, and are required before joining any group on the water.
https://rlymyc.org.uk/afloat/adult-helper
https://rlymyc.org.uk/afloat/u18consent
Parent Volunteers
We will need a number of parent volunteers to support our training on the water and ashore. Please note Club Rues require that any person driving a rib must hold a Powerboat Level 2 certificate as a minimum.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JPoN5vAPI1bvL7V4Wfm18nrSed3rGFVaajnpHu51GLE/edit?usp=sharing
All information for each weekend will be shared primarily via WhatsApp, so please ensure you have joined the group via the link below.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HK71XKHZ0BG05QlJpOr73N
If you have any questions or you are unsure if the training is suitable for your sailor then please contact Dan or Tom via WhatsApp, and we can arrange to speak further.