Activate successes at Olton Mere and Burton Sailing Clubs
by Katie Ashworth, LaserPerformance 17 May 2010 14:55 BST
Activate Your Laser workshop at Olton Mere © BSC
Following the recent Activate Your Laser workshops hosted by LaserPerformance and SailLaser, Olton Mere and Burton Sailing Club made a start with their three key ideas for Activating their Lasers. Using the resource available from the RYA and LaserPerformance both clubs arranged a dedicated Laser training day on the 17th April, with some fantastic results.
Despite, or may be because of, the light winds and sunshine, Olton Mere had a fantastic turnout of 15 boats for the training day supported by the RYA and Activate Your Laser. The fleet was comprised of 4.7, radial and standard rigs with the age of helms ranging from 11 to 50+, including novices, regular sailors and four ladies.
RYA Regional Club Coach, Brett Cokayne started by giving some useful tips on set up and preventative maintenance for the Laser, using a new Laser as an example. Attention was drawn to how you can economically update your Laser with the new friction pad and Harken Blocks. Brett also covered race starts and approaches to upwind and downwind marks. At the end of the day the fleet all felt more confident on the race course; a great result.
Over at Burton Sailing Club the members had taken a similar approach, having already contacted everyone who owned or used to own a Laser. The club invited them to a “Get Back on the Water – Laser Day”. Thirteen members took part and had a great time thanks to the expert advice and coaching of Duncan Adams. ‘The day was really informal and no matter what their past experience or skill level, everyone had a great time! We looked at several Lasers and I gave them advice on rigging and tuning and how to use the XD controls to the best advantage.” commented Duncan Adams – RYA Regional Club Coach and LaserPerformance Fleets Sales Executive.
Both clubs followed a similar structure, shore based instruction on updating, repairing and maintaining your Laser and then on the water racing instruction. Since then the clubs have seen an increase in participation in Laser events. Mike Hampton from Burton Sailing Club commented, “At the end of the day everyone completed a questionnaire which the club is going use to plan our next activities. The replies were very encouraging and in the couple of race days that have happened since the Activate Day there have been a good turn out and Lasers have made up half the fleet on two occasions!”’ Andrew Dixey was also encouraged by the results seen at Olton Mere, “Loads of sailors came back on Sunday to practice what they learnt on Saturday. The racing was much tighter and they managed to keep on the right side of the rule book too, which was great because everyone came off the water happy rather than with a score to settle!”
These case studies are a perfect example of what Activate Your Laser Fleet has to offer and that how getting the simple things right can make a big difference. Stay in touch with the progress of these clubs via the Facebook Page: Activate Your Laser Fleet and the dedicated Yachts and Yachting page at www.yachtsandyachting.com/activate . If you would like your club to be invited to next year’s workshops please email Tzaneen Mears at the RYA, 
