Wot no training for grown-ups?

The UKLA (UK Laser class training) is open to all members of the class and is done on a regional basis to keep people fuel and accommodation costs down.

I would always recommend class specific training where practical.

+1 for class training - we've learnt a lot from Lark class training sessions but time in boat is the best training.

A touch of explanation: There are training courses for adults well beyond level 2, which is the most basic, the trouble is finding places that will run them.  Courses such as those above RYA Start Racing often don't happen because in fact the instructors at most clubs are not qualified to coach them - they do call for a relatively high level of expertise.

There are a lot of freelance coaches around, especially in the solent area.  Go to the RYA forum via their website and go to the section RYA people wanted/available.  Find someone who meets your needs or place your own ad.  An RYA coach is likely to have the insurance cover you need - check they have this.

At club level look for people who feel the same way as you do - there will be some - then get together and hire your own coach or use a club one - to run the sessions that you feel you want.  These don't have to be class specific.  At Hunts we have run lots of different kinds of adult training - race and general sailing technique - both for specific classes and for effectively a handicap fleet - and this has worked well.  Often it can be the only way of getting numbers up.

Another plan could be to get a group of local clubs to join together and run some training - this again helps get numbers up.  Your Regional Development Officer can help with this.  Get commitment from people in advance ie payment, so people keep turning up.

One more thing - becoming a race coach level 2 is relatively straight forward if you are a competent club racer, and typically costs very little.  You can then run your own coaching, from which you will learn a great deal, plus make lots of useful contacts with other coaches in the area.  Peer coaching can be extremely effective and enjoyable.

If all this fails get on the M11 and come and join us.  I am shortly going to be nagging Jeffers to provide some help with coaching here at Hunts!

Nessa

This what we have had happening at Hunts over the last few years. Our centre principal was very big on getting adult partivipation up.

Most class associations run adult training, but you will probably need to travel to another club to do it unless you can organise enogh people in the same class at your club to make it worthwhile having your class organise a session there. This level of training really has to be class based simply because the techniques vary so much between classes.