Cadet Week at Marconi Sailing Club

Marconi Sailing Club Cadet Week © Sally Hitt

Marconi Sailing Club Cadet Week © Sally Hitt

Marconi Sailing Club Cadet Week © Sally Hitt

Over 78 Cadets took part in Marconi Sailing Club's annual Cadet Week last week to enjoy 6 days of fun and training on the River Blackwater.

The club caters for sailors of all ages and experience levels and tailors the tuition accordingly. This year a number of new members took part for the very first time, after having signed up to join the sailing club after its successful Open Day back in May. Non-members were also welcomed to join the fun.

To kick of the week, everybody took to the water on the Monday morning to sail in some challenging winds to familarise themselves with sailing, which for many was their first time. In the afternoon cadets were invited to take part in the Capsize Drill, a permanent fixture of all Cadet Weeks which teaches important boat righting skills for the remainder of the week!

On Tuesday and Wednesday the groups separated in to different fleets which allows the volunteer Marconi tutors to provide specific training and guidance in smaller numbers. Lighter winds ensured everybody was able to enjoy a full day on the water.

Osea Island was the destination of choice this year for Thursday's long distance race where the Cadets competed against each other with a staggered start from the club's based in Steeple. The stronger winds proved too much for some with a number of boats ending up capsized, however the training that was given on the Monday certainly gave people a chance to put in to practice what they had learn to right the boat again! After enjoying a picnic lunch on the South Western area of Osea, the fleets convened again to commence the second race of the day, against an ebbing tide for the trip home.

After another eventful summer of sport with the Brazil World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, event organisers decided upon the them of "Countries of the World" for Friday's fun day. After a morning of Pico Water Polo and Dinghy based Basketball the groups joined together after lunch to take part in "The World Class Competition." Cadets split in to different country groups to help assist "Captain Graham Cross." of the World Navy who had become stranded on Osea Island with his fleet of 12 Laser Picos. Working as a team, the cadets had to find their respective country flag and the pieces of the boat that had been scattered across Osea Beach to help Captain Cross rebuild his fleet and sail back across to Port Marconi. After each group had re-assembled their boats, they had to sail back across the river with up to 6 people in each boat - which for anybody who has sailed a Laser Pico is not the most comfortable experience! Pole position for the event went to Team France.

The Cadet Regatta was held on Saturday with the beginner groups and advanced sailors being catered for separately. Race Officer Jenny Ball set two races for the Regatta with only the advanced cadets taking part in the afternoon race due to challenging conditions and stronger winds.

The week was rounded off on the Saturday evening with a prizegiving event and thank you BBQ for all the volunteers and helpers.

Follow up sail training days are expected to be held for the remainder of the season and next year to help the cadets further improve their skills ready for next year's Cadet Week!