Tasmanian Dinghy Group Youth step up training for 2009-2010

2:44 AM Mon 27 Apr 2009 GMT

'Sabot/ Optimist Development Squad first winter training.Perfect conditions! - Tasmanian Youth Winter training' Richard Scarr

The Dinghy Group has seen a fantastic increase in the participation of junior sailors leading into winter. This is due to the fantastic efforts of Richard Scarr in motivating kids to see sailing as an all year round sport.

A number of the intermediate sailors have moved into the advanced development and fitness program (2-4 days per week) and at last count there were 21 sabots out every second Sunday on the river in that group. The plan for these sailors is to participate in the Sabot National Titles at Gosford in Dec/Jan 2009/10.

The Tasmanian Team is preparing for all these sailors (up to 25 boats) to be making the trip to this event. In this program Richard is employing several junior coaches Chris Jones and Elliot Noice who are members of the Yachting Tasmanian High Performance Team. They are doing their Yachting Australia Club Coach and Yachting Australia Instructors courses. This gives them experience in coaching with a mentor developing their skills and knowledge.

Dinghy Group will be running a coaching development program in 2009-2010 for their youth sailors and adults, to not only give the club a stronger training platform but to also give their youth personal development pathways.

The Laser group is looking very strong (14 boats) with a good showing in the radial class and some new starters in the 4.7 class. So by the start of the season we can expect some very good fleet racing in this class. Many of the 4.7 sailors are sailing the Sabot but they have been shown that their step into international youth classes has to be made much sooner.

Laser Winter training being towed home after their first training day. - Tasmanian Youth Winter training - Richard Scarr

One of the strategic plans is to get the sailors sailing the right boat for their weight and size, with the concept of 'just one more year' being changed to 'time to move on'.

What is very pleasing to see is the development program where we have the Sabots and Optimist sailors that are keen to step up a notch braving the winter to improve their skills.

Yesterday was the first morning and as you can see by the photo, the winter weather is not that bad. A full course had Philippa Calvert and Richard Scarr busy but with a few parent helpers and of course Jock Calvert willing to jump in a boat or catch them on the shore. They all went away full of enthusiasm, hanging out for the next course.

The 420 class is also seeing resurgence with 7 boats expected to participate in training over winter. These sailors have committed to going to the 420 nationals and youth Championships. The 470 class is starting up from scratch with Sailors being assessed and placed in the boat with the right weight and height combinations. So far we have just the one boat starting their training with Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne as their goals.

Over the next few months various crew will be trialed in the 29er and once the right combinations have been found they to will be training flat out over winter to prepare for the various youth events around the country

Dinghy Group also has a few youth who have embraced the Windsurfer class and have begun their training and developement with their eyes set on the Youth Championships in January.

With the success of these training courses, Richard is offering to run additional courses to cater for the demand so if you have not yet booked in it is not too late.

Check out www.richardscarrcoachingservices.comfor more information. Also go to the Dinghy Group web site to see how you can start sailing in September Holidays with their Sail school

www.dinghygroup.org.au

by Tim Jones