HISC Get Racing Club - Update
by Sarah Johnson 18 Jun 2015 12:33 BST
18 June 2015
HISC 'Get Racing' © Melvyn Cooper
Hannah Cockle, the RYA's Sailing Development Manager joined the HISC Get Racing Club to experience first-hand the 'club within a club' that aims to encourage non-racers to get out on the water with volunteer led coaching and fun, informal racing.
The HISC International Moth class led the first Get Racing Club in May with Ricky Tagg heading up the team, ably assisted by Graham Simmonds, Ollie Holden, Tim Penfold and Mike Lennon. Twenty one Get Racing Club participants took to the water in perfect conditions with force 3 to 4, sunshine and blue skies.
The hugely talented Moth Class volunteers were able to give top notch mentoring and on-the-water coaching as well as organizing excellent racing with fun spot prizes and invaluable feedback for the competitors. Special guest Hannah Cockle, the RYA's Sailing Development Manager joined the group, trapezing on board a Laser 2 with Get Racing Club member Tony Combes.
Hannah commented, "Everyone was so helpful on the water and I really enjoyed myself. I will certainly come along again!"
The popular Merlin Rocket class led the second of the May HISC Get Racing events. Twenty four individuals presented themselves for a windy 21-25 knots session! The on-shore briefing from Merlin Rocket class members Graham Williamson, Judith Massey, Simon and Jackie Lytton concentrated on how to use the shifts to help and hinder your progress around the course. However once on the water the strength of the wind meant that most participants were focused on boat handling just to keep upright!
Clear winners of the day were Arthur and Lara in a RS Feva with Peter Walter, Margie Clarke, Rachel Maunder and Belinda Cox in second in one of the HISC RS Ventures. For many of the HISC Get Racing Club participants it was the windiest conditions they had experienced and with only a few capsizes it was clear that skill levels have improved.
The next Get Racing Club event will take place on Saturday 27th June 2015 with the RS200 class taking the helm. For more information about the Get Racing Club initiative please visit www.hisc.co.uk/sailing-racing/club-racing/hisc-get-racing-club or the Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/groups/HISC.GRC
The GRC dates for the season are:
27th June 2015
11th & 25th July 2015
8th & 22nd August 2015
5th & 19th September
3rd October 2015