Final Cadet Squad Training Weekend at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Peter Collyer 26 Mar 2014 13:14 GMT
22-23 March 2014
Cadet Class Squads and Coaches © Peter Collyer
Winter squad training came to a blustery end at Grafham Water at the weekend, with a cold north-westerly wind failing to cool the enthusiasm of the UK's toughest junior sailors.
The Cadet Class supports four training squads and this is the second year that they have all trained together though the winter. With nearly 80 sailors on the water these weekends have the same great atmosphere as the competitive events in the summer, with a social scene on land to match.
Saturday saw all the squads launching early for a long morning session in a force 3 from the west, and the conditions remained excellent in the afternoon too. By Sunday the wind had moved round to the north-west and strengthened, making for testing conditions when the squads joined together for some practice races in the afternoon. However, these young sailors remained undeterred and it was tired but smiling faces that returned to the shore at the end of the weekend.
The Cadet Class racing season begins on Saturday (29th March) with the Frensham Pond Open Meeting and then continues over the weekend of 5th and 6th April with the first World Championship Team selector event at Datchet Water. More details of these and other events can be found on the Cadet Class website at www.cadetclass.org.uk and regular updates will be posted on the calendar pages here on the YachtsandYachting.com website. While the more experienced Cadet sailors are competing at open meetings and selectors, racing, training and informal sailing will continue throughout the spring at club level.
The Cadet Class is one of the best ways for children to start sailing, whether they have been inspired by the Olympic exploits of ex-Cadet sailors like Pippa Wilson or by reading Swallows and Amazons. Go to www.cadetclass.org.uk/join to find a club near you and come along to join in the fun!