Merlin Rocket Class Training is back for 2025

Sam and Megan Pascoe © Demelza Mitchell

The Merlin Rocket class is running training on the 1st and 2nd March at Hayling Island Sailing Club. Open to all Merlin Rocket Owners' Association members, it is a great start to the season. Whether you are just starting out on your Merlin sailing journey or looking to learn some new skills to improve your results there is something for everyone.

The Merlin is a tricky boat. Everyone has different sails, boats, masts, foils so where do you start. The tuning guides are great, but it is hard to know if you have it right. Many of us regularly sail on a weekend. Head out for our race start, come home and head for the bar.

Not a problem but everyone asks how do I improve? How do I make that jump? Time on the water is important but what training gives is that concentrated amount of quality time. Someone coming to you and saying that is your upright setting, that's your starting point with shrouds, lowers, kicker. Or you are going up wind and someone says yes that looks right. Take a mental note of where all the settings are so when you are on your own you can replicate. You've have just done 50 tacks in training and have got the co-ordination nailed. It might take you five weekends to do that many tacks and you are always under pressure in racing, so you don't have time to work out the improvements.

Training also gives you access to all those Merlin sailors who know everything. You can talk to them anytime but at a training weekend we are giving exclusive access to let you ask them anything. I'm always up for new thinking but most of these guys have tried it.

The Merlin class is passionate about helping everyone learn. We have some of the best sailors in the country on our circuit, but we are well aware that without every part of the fleet there isn't much of a class. We are aiming the training at the middle of our gold fleet all the way to every bronze sailor. The plan is to do everything from rig set up to racing skills. It is piecing all the little things together that will make that difference when you hit the first open meeting a few weeks later.

We've all taken part in Merlin training over the years, and we know that this weekend will kick start your season.

Spaces are limited to 18, MROA Members please book here - portal.merlinrocket.co.uk