It's a myth that you have to leave the Cadet class at 17
by Magnus Smith 31 Jul 2024 15:08 BST
Coach RIBs monitor the fleet - ABP Cadet UK Nationals in Plymouth day 0 © Paul Gibbins Photography
3.2 by 1.38 metres, hull weight 54 kg - it's no surprise you have to stop competing in Cadets eventually. Kids grow! And then they are lost forever, to more exciting asymmetric skiff classes? It seems not...
The UK National Championships have returned to Plymouth this year, with a bumper fleet of 101 boats. But there are more than 202 Cadet sailors here, because so many of the coaches helping out the under 17s, are aged 18 to 21 and have not long left the class. They still proudly tell you that they are Cadets, and how they have such a love of the community that they grew up within, competing in club, national or world-level events.
I spoke to Toby Bush and Connor Line, two such ex-Cadet coaches having a great time on Plymouth Sound this week. Chatting to them, it is clear they are loving being involved with the class, and passing on their skills to the newcomers. And they must be giving valuable advice, too; both are no stranger to a top ten finish at the Worlds.
Each has been out on a RIB, talking to their assigned sailors before and after each race. They answer questions about why a particular boat did or did not do well, what the wind was doing, and so on. Then they talk to the kids about what they need to expect from the wind in the next race, and get them in the right frame of mind.
Toby was World Champion helm in 2022 (Australia) and was clear about how much he valued the friends he had made in the fleet, from all the nations who competed. Just recently an Aussie ex-Cadet was in the UK, and so the two met up. You can see that friendships for life were formed, and are being maintained.
Toby also observed that sailors seem to naturally get good at talking to people, even other people's parents, race officers etc. He can really see the difference with friends in other sports who are not as communicative or outgoing. Yet another life skill built before you're even 17 then?!
It doesn't seem to take much effort for the event organisers to hunt these helpful youths down; Toby's brother still in he fleet, so it is easy for him to be contacted, and it doesn't seem like arm-twisting is ever needed. They all know the other coaches and enjoy the banter, as well as the joy of handing down their knowledge.
Connor last sailed with Toby in 2018, and is pleased to find himself back out on the water with his old crew. You often notice young adults displaying a more self-centred desire to enjoy life, and party hard, but Connor mentioned how nice it was not to leave the class, and how he could give something back. He spoke about how so many ex-Cadets want that community feeling, and how he still sees friends from Belgium after meeting them at World Championships.
It must be nice to decide it is time to pop over to Europe, and have friends immediately volunteer a boat for you to borrow!
The Royal Hospital School is one of the sponsors of the Nationals this year, and Connor has been working with them too, in a coaching role.
Connor was adamant that coaches must not tell the sailors simply, "go right", but rather, "here's why it's worth going right," and how this can be worked out. It is great he and Toby have made sure to always give the kids the how and why.
These two lads haven't come off the water exhausted and moaning, even though it was a 7 hour day on the water. They are grinning, and loving it!
They both love the fleet for what it gave them, and what they can give back now. And even in that giving back, more joy has been found.