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TopTip2020 #47 Training and Good Times
Greg Bartlett, GBR
Greg Bartlett of Starcross Yacht Club on Devon is our current European RS Aero 9 champion. He loves his RS Aero sailing and enjoys his training every bit as much as his racing, revelling in the extra power and excitement that the 9 rig offers. Continuing our training theme, Greg gives his take on constructive training and keeping it FUN;
' Training and having a Good Time (for a long time)
Training
' Training and having a Good Time (for a long time)
Training
- Keep it relevant: Presuming your goal is to do well at racing i.e. Nationals/Europeans/Worlds your training should preferably mimic the wind and wave conditions you will likely get there - for example: most Nationals/Euros/Worlds take place over open water, so if you sail currently on a small lake, maybe try and look at the closest feasible options of sailing on the sea or a big expanse of open water.
- Training partners: The RS Aero is easy to sail, but more difficult to sail well, so this is where training partners can really help optimise your practice and help you improve lots! Preferably find somebody slightly quicker than you if possible, compare what areas you are not as competent at, and adapt your sailing technique accordingly - for example: training partner is going higher and faster in 10-12kn, compare rig set-up differences - notice if they are sheeting in more and using different sail controls (then note to self for next time!)
- Determination: You, and you alone determine how much you are going to improve. If you're willing to put the constructive hours in, both on and off the water, you will improve; no half efforts with; 'it's too cold', 'ohh, it's windy' or 'I can't be bothered today' - not relevant excuses! Not all of us are as naturally talented at sailing as each other (I've had to work hard for my achievements!) so if you want it enough, work for it and you will likely achieve your goal! :-)
- Make friends: Whether you have a great day on the water or a bad day, it is much more enjoyable and rewarding to bounce off your feelings to your sailing friends and vice versa as they can relate. Making great friends can make your achievements feel even better and can help boost you back up after a tough day on the water! Also the perks of making friends = more training partners! I've been lucky & travelled around to fantastic venues both home & abroad and sharing the driving to events with a mate makes the miles fly by.
- Set realistic targets and always stay positive: To avoid likely disappointment or putting lots of pressure on yourself at a big event, set a realistic target that you think you have a good chance of achieving; anything better than that is a bonus! Sailing is a sport where a great many factors can affect your race. Sometimes regattas will go your way, sometimes they don't, its the nature of competition. We may all get down and frustrated at times, so always remember why you do the sport - for FUN and to share an enjoyable outdoor competitive activity with like minded people.
Greg is Mr Insta of the RS Aero Class with over 2200 followers! Check out the RS Aero Instagram page here; https://www.instagram.com/rs_aero/
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15/05/2020 16:55:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4664
