Spitfire training at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Alex Philpott & Sam Rowell 24 Oct 2014 11:46 BST
18-19 October 2014
Spitfire training at Grafham © Phil D'Arcy
Well, what a weekend! A blowy forecast didn't stop the ever
growing Spitfire fleet at Grafham; coaches Paul Wakelin and Ollie
Greber led a great weekend of training including theory and
fundamental land drills which were then executed on the water.
The
fleet ranged from beginner teams, new to the boat to the more
experienced regular teams who enjoyed the high winds; everyone
got the best out of the challenging weather.
Saturday featured a somewhat exciting breeze with an average wind
speed of 15 knots gusting greater than 35 knots! This led to a land
based morning session of fine tuning rigs and general boat set up,
which was beneficial for all, especially as Ollie had only recently
arrived back from the ISAF Youth Worlds in the summer and was on
hand to give out some red hot tips and all important numbers. The
gusty conditions in the afternoon were testing, however a great time
on the water was had by all, nailing those basics needed for the
busy season ahead in the Spitfire calendar.
Conditions on the Sunday were shaping up to be similar to the
previous day and all the teams were eager for some time on the
water. However, during the morning's land coaching session, the
wind, despite the forecast, continued to build. At 1pm, the more
experienced - and slightly mad, adrenalin junkie teams - took to the
water with wind speeds of 25-35knots, which proved very lively
indeed!
From a sailor's perspective, it was like nothing I've ever
experienced before and the GoPro's were in a world of their own!
Those not sailing weren't missing out on any of the action and were
all on-board both Paul and Ollie's ribs, getting advice and learning
from the other sailors' mistakes.
The wind-battered fleet returned to the beach after having one of the
scariest and most exciting afternoons experienced on the water. The
hot showers were definitely needed! Paul and Ollie wrapped up with
some key points and feedback for all of us before we departed from
a great weekend with some important experience and rig settings to
take home and look over before the last Youth Squad qualifier next
weekend.
It was a weekend for both the new and experienced
teams. All in all we definitely got the most out of a challenging
weekend at Grafham!