UK RS Tera Class Association Online Sailing Academy launches

UK RS Tera Class Association Online Sailing Academy © UK RS Tera Class Association

UK RS Tera Class Association Online Sailing Academy © UK RS Tera Class Association

Last weekend saw the launch of a new initiative for members of the UK RS Tera Class Association, the first sessions of the UKRSTCA Online Sailing Academy.

Over the last nine months the UK RS Tera Class Association has moved its national training to the RYA recommended Regional Training Group model and by the time the Autumn came were ready to roll out a full training programme for RS Tera sailors across England and Wales. While most regions were able to get away one or two training weekends, the Coronavirus fully impacted our plans, and we are now awaiting the lifting of lockdown restrictions to recommence.

The Association felt it was vitally important to keep engaged with their sailors so plans were formulated for a new initiative for their Class members for early 2021, the UK RS Tera Class Association Online Sailing Academy.

FREE to all 2021 Class Association members, the Online Sailing Academy features 3 Saturday sessions of Online coaching across 3 levels. Class Association Head Coach Flynn Davies takes the Pro sailors in the Sail Like a Pro group with our Sport fleet being split into two groups, with National coaches Dylan Collingbourne and Ollie Jenkins leading the Front Runners and the Up and Comers respectively.

Last weekend saw the launch of the Academy with nearly 100 sailors eagerly awaiting the Zoom calls. Each training session was well-received by the participants, with much positive feedback received from both sailors and parents!

A typical quote was: "Just asked my daughter what was the best thing about this morning's Zoom session - and her reply was 'Gosh, there was so many good things', massive thank you for organising these sessions. Very much appreciated and enjoyed... very inspired daughter!"

The UKRSTCA Online Sailing Academy will be running for the next two weekends (Saturday mornings) and added to the mix from this coming weekend, subject to demand, will be some Sunday Virtual racing and the Association hopes to offer further Academy content throughout the coming year

Coach Dylan Collingbourne reflects on last Saturday's training at rstera.tinyc.co/onlineacademyreport

Its not to late to enrol for the Online Sailing Academy and further information can be found at www.rstera.org.uk/online-sailing-academy

Don't worry that you missed the first session, the first weeks session will be shared to members who missed out.

Association Vice Chair-Racing, Steve Jenkins commented, "2020 proved to be challenging enough for Class Associations in getting events off, 2021 brings even new challenges in engaging with members and when you are a youth fleet, you have quite a degree of transition, ideally both in and out of the fleet. The UK RS Tera Association took the view that so many of our sailors were missing out on the full scope of their winter training programmes in our various regional groups as well as that all important contact with their sailing friends and community.

"The Online Academy has been an outstanding success in engaging with our sailors and establishing that feeling of being part of something again. Delivering these sessions to almost 100 sailors has exceeded our expectations and also meant that the coaches have had to change their style of delivery a little. We aren't stopping here, there is much more to come for our UK RS Tera Class Association members in 2021, which we hope will also include our full on-water event schedule too. We are looking forward to continuing with the up coming sessions and adding more on-line activities for our sailors and their families until we can commence our onward calendar for 2021 again."

The UK RS Tera Class Association is committed to help our grassroots sailors to have FUN, our budding racers to develop their skills and LEARN and to provide a wider base for those who want to RACE.

For details on how to join the UK RS Tera Class Association and find out about the other benefits of membership see www.rstera.org.uk/membership