Musto Skiff Training at Chanonry Sailing Club - Day 1
by Ben Schooling 2 Nov 2014 10:22 GMT
1-2 November 2014
Musto Skiff Training at Chanonry © Ben Schooling
Pretty awesome conditions but the boys coped well
I couldn't refuse Kevin Holliday's kind offer at the Nationals to return to the homeland for a weekend of coaching with the North of Scotland fleet. Chanonry Sailing Club now has the largest fleet of Musto's in Scotland with 5 boats and it really is a fantastic stretch of water on the Moray Firth just North of Inverness. After a short flight up from Gatwick I was collected by Kevin and driven back over the impressive Kessock bridge to the Black Isle and onto Fortrose.
Despite a rather ominous 12-26kt forecast, 6 Musto's turned out with 4 local boats and Jono Shelley from Aberdeen and Ian Renilson from Dalgety Bay travelling up. After a briefing the fleet were set to launch but wisely held ashore as a squall passed through, making good use of the time to discuss heavy weather techniques!
By 11:30 the breeze had abated and the boats launched into a steep chop. Renilson and Shelley were first to head out, Jono christening his brand new boat in the process, and after a successful first run coaxed the others off the slip. Once all out the fleet set off on a decent beat a mile of so upwind before turning for a full blast back down. After a couple more of those, the wind had dropped a notch and allowed a couple of follow my leader into tacking on the whistle exercises on a short w/l course. With the breeze beginning to ramp up again under the next bank of cloud, the fleet headed back in for well deserved soup and rolls.
The video debrief was held in the warmth and comfort of Kevin's front room beside the fire with great cups of tea provided by Judie. Some good learning points were taken form the various techniques captured from the camera and commentary on the RIB and 2 Go-pros on board the skiffs.
At the time of writing we're looking forward to heading out for a hearty dinner at the local restaurant and planning an early start tomorrow before my return flight home. A big thanks from me for the Holliday's superb hospitality and to Jack Evans for expertly driving the RIB.