The Growing ILCA Youth Fleet at HISC

If you have ventured to Sandy Point on Sundays during February and March 2026 you may have seen the resurgence of the HISC ILCA fleet who are lucky to have been training with HISC member, Paddy Gamble, on four Sundays this year.

The group had their first day of training in early February.  For some, this was their first time in an ILCA, several of the new ILCA sailors were at the top of the HISC tera fleet last season and some had recently transitioned from the ILCA4 into the ILCA 6.    The morning session saw a friendly breeze of 5-10 knots and balmy temperatures of 8 degrees.  Six sailors signed up for this first day and, after a briefing from Paddy, everyone launched and headed to Pilsey where they practiced their starts and racing in the light winds.  The group came ashore for a social lunch in the snack bar.  The afternoon session on West Mud was followed by a debrief on the rules of racing, where the watching adults also learned a thing or two.

The second training day was a wilder affair with winds of 20-25 knots and the group of 8 sailors who met on the beach were slightly apprehensive.  In the morning, Paddy laid a windward leeward course while sailors got to grips with the conditions and put into practice Paddy’s tips on depowering.  In the afternoon the group practiced boat handling drills.  It was admirable to see how all the sailors managed the conditions and improved their skills over the course of the day.  

Unfortunately the third Sunday was too windy for our fleet however there is one day of training left in this block and then coach, Ross Harvey, will take over for 3 days of training in the Easter holiday.   This combined block of winter and spring training should set our newest ILCA Sailors up well for regular racing at HISC this year.  At HISC, the ILCAs can race with the youth or the main fleet, if you see them giving it a try with the adults, please give them some encouragement.

In addition to this group of transitioning sailors, HISC has strong fleet of older teens who have been training hard for several years and have reached the front of the national ILCA fleet.  Oscar, Tristian, Jazzie and Merry have been combining their sailing at HISC with regular racing in the ILCA National Opens, Youth Opens and the Nationals.  HISC should be very proud of their results and achievements, some of which can be viewed here ILCA UK Results 2025 — ILCA UK

The ILCA is a perfect boat for teenagers who prefer to sail alone, or who find it difficult to sail regularly with a partner, for example, due to school commitments.   If you’re getting to big for your Optimist or Tera, you’re a teenager who is new to sailing or you’d like a change from double handed sailing, you will be a perfect fit for the ILCA fleet.  There is no need to buy your own boat as HISC has ILCA 4s and 6s available for hire.   If you need help in taking the first steps in your ILCA journey, email Annie the ILCA Youth Captain (laser4.7@hisc.co.uk), who will be pleased to help.

Any youth sailors who are thinking of transitioning to the HISC ILCA fleet should join the WhatsApp group using this link:

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Further information about transitioning into the ILCA can be found on the ILCA UK website  New to ILCA — ILCA UK.