Juniors

Training Week a Great Success - FROM 2009

For six days after Spring Bank Holiday the waters of Traeth Bychan Bay were alive with Toppers and a few Lasers, closely monitored by 3 or 4 bright red patrol boats.

From Tuesday to Friday the mornings were spent in training, both theoretical and practical, under the watchful eyes of RYA coach David Woodhead and three “home-bred” instructor/coaches David Carpenter, Jack Cornthwaite and Bleddyn Môn. In the afternoons a series of races was run with two fleets – Topper and Open Handicap.

This was a great opportunity for inland sailors to gain experience of sea sailing and Traeth did not disappoint them. Over the four days we had light airs, sea mist, fitful breezes, strong squally winds, the choppy seas and rolling breakers that come with an easterly wind and a dying breeze that failed to stem the tide resulting in many boats sailing backwards.

The Topper Trophy was won by Ellie Meopham and David Carpenter beat Jack Cornthwaite for the Handicap Trophy – both on equal points but David had the better result in the final race.

On Saturday yet more boats arrived for the North West Topper Traveller and a fleet of 37 Toppers took to the water together with 8 Optimists and 6 assorted handicap boats.

On Sunday the Welsh Topper Traveller continued with 20 Toppers and a small handicap fleet.

Lunches were provided throughout the week by a willing crew in the galley and parents enjoyed the glorious sunshine on the beach, fortified by cups of tea and Sarah’s cake, in between launching and retrieving the boats of their various offspring.

Special thanks go to David Griffiths who master-minded the whole week, Steve Norris who was a very able OD for the week-end, running 3 fleets concurrently, and the army of Patrol Boat assistants who kept an eye on everyone’s safety.

Whether they were there for one day or all six, a good time was had by all.

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