A request to all Parents of Youth Sailors at HISC . . .

I have had many comments from non-sailing parents over the season who would like to help the Youth Section but feel they are either unable or unqualified because they are not experienced sailors themselves.

As part of my new role as Rear Commodore Training I am keen to encourage as many people as possible to become active participants of the club.

The club offers racing for our Optimist & Feva sailors but these fleets are often overlooked when club members come to book their 'duty dates' for the season. On regular sundays we run 3 short ' back to back' races starting with a briefing at 10am & we are usually back to shore by 2pm. We often need extra hands on our small committee boat 'Why' & we can offer advice to anyone willing to help out.

The club is introducing a new on-line system of booking your club duty for 2008 so please even if you have never offered your services for club duty before consider booking up as a rib crew for the youth races during 2008.

I am usually around or email me if you need any help or advice.

Alternatively any parent who would like to become more involved in running the club youth races but is unsure as to how the 'system' works I am very happy to offer advice or run a training session during the season.

The RYA run regular Club Race Coach courses for experienced racing sailors who would like training on 'how to coach'. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions then please contact the RYA the next course is planned on 9 and 10 February at Thorney Island.

I also plan to run race training sessions for ladies, adult beginner sessions, rib driver refresher courses for rib owners & safety boat courses. Please feel free to let me know if there is an area of training which you would be interested in & I'll try & plan a course to suit.

Debbie Darling
Rear Commodore Training