Cadet Class Winter Training

Intermediate Development Squad coach Katrina Brewer giving advice to Harry Fitzsimmons and Sam Woodhouse during the Cadet Class Winter Training at Farmoor © Peter Collyer

Cadet Class Winter Training at Farmoor © Peter Collyer

Cadet Class Winter Training at Farmoor © Peter Collyer

The UK National Cadet Class Association's winter training programme is now in full swing. At the end of October the RYA National Junior Squad had their annual half-term training camp at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, taking advantage of the shelter provided by the 'boat hanger' to work on rig set-up while the St Jude storm blew through, before getting two valuable days on the water at what will be the venue for the Cadet World Championships in August 2014.

Over the weekend of the 9/10 November it was the turn of the National, Intermediate Development and Junior Development Squads at Farmoor Reservoir, Oxford. Saturday provided little in the way of wind so the time was spent in the classrooms setting targets for the year and getting to grips with theory and rules. Sunday morning was perfect for Autumn training with blue skies and a steady breeze. All three squads launched early and put in a focussed morning of practice and drills, only pausing to observe the two minutes silence at 11am for Remembrance Sunday. In the dying breeze of the afternoon the squads joined together for three short practice races, and judging by the number of boats from the two development squads appearing at the front of the fleet, competition will be close when the proper racing season starts again in the Spring!

Thanks to all the staff at the Sailing Academy and Oxford Sailing Club, and an especially big thank you to the coaching team:

• Jonny McGovern and Tom Mallindine - RYA UK Junior Squad (Tom also stood in for regular coach Mike McNamara to coach the National Squad Oxford)
• Jodie Green and Katrina Brewer - Intermediate Development Squad
• Ed Impey and Alex Corby - Junior Development Squad

It isn't too late for young sailors interested in the Cadet sailing to get involved over the winter. Help and support to new helms and crews is available at club level and novice sailors will race in a coached 'Bronze Fleet' at Open events next year, giving them the chance to enjoy the great social scene that is a central part of Cadet sailing while they develop their skills.

See www.cadetclass.org.uk/join for details or pop down to meet us at our next squad weekend at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, 30 November/1 December.