49er

Yup, 29er and then when you can drive geta 49er!! Good luck dude

Originally posted by andy_cherub dont give up on the fun of trapezing!!!  & dont move backwards in boat performance

I agree if i get a laser i wont enjoy it "asmuch" and will probably give up. I think a 29er, hefty in price but spoke to a sailing mate same age but doesnt way as much and we both agreed we'd put togerther and buy a two handed boat.

Reasons for a 29er:

Strong youth class

Basically a perfect training boat for the 49er (main aim)

29er is quite big and if you conqurer that class your bound to get noticed!

 

Please do not think that I am trying to discourage anybody from aiming high. But you do have to be realistic about it. I, and I am sure others, have seen young people fall by the wayside with thier dreams shattered. Also any young student who wishes to do well HAS to have indulgent parents at some time or they cannot travel to prove how good they are. Friends of mine have one daughter on the Topper Squad and another on the 29er Squad. Mum and Dad see each other somtimes. They have another daughter who is a good club racer. I myself have travelled with my son, not to the extent of some others, but enough. He has had great success in "minor" classes and we both enjoyed every moment of it. He is on work placement from Uni. earning and has his own car. All I had to do was fit the towbar so that he can travel with his B14.

To sum up. See how good you are in any class, See how enthusiastic you are, See how much support you can get. There are lots of races you can win without even thinking about the Olympics. Above all enjoy yourself.

I am just a humble joiner but I have to admit that many squad parents do seem to fit into the middle class/professional segment which sailing ousiders would expect. Now that is a shame.

Originally posted by tickler Dedication, cash and indulgent parents are far more important.

Agreed.

If you cant get a new set of sails ( or even 2 .. ) per season, you will find it harder each year to keep up, no matter how well your skills blossom.

, okay once youve bought my laser, you get a car and get yourself to every event you can. now its just a matter of winning them. this means lots of time on the water. you will also need top level coaching and that only comes at top level prices, so you need funding, from the RYA, and you get that by winning lots of things, which you do by getting coaching, which you pay for by......