The BYS Aero fleet gathered last Sunday for its inaugural coaching clinic with 11 boats joining in the day’s activities.
Our coaches were Rhett Gowans, 2 x world Aero Champion, 4 x Aero National Champion and recently crowned 2024 Australian Sailing Coach of the year and Michael O’Brien, an experienced North American and Victorian Laser Masters Champion. We couldn’t dream of a more accomplished duo to take us through our paces.
The day began with a one hour on-land session discussing boat set up and then we took to the water for an intense two-hour session of boat handling drills within a tight box performing figure-of-eights with rapid course alterations on the whistle to beats or runs. This was followed by a series of short 5 min windward-leeward races. The coaches, both on P15, got in close to all boats to individualise their instruction.
Finally, we broke for lunch to luxuriate in the warm sunshine where Rhett & Michael hosted a Q&A session and conducted a constructive critique of the morning’s activities.
The afternoon session consisted of three short races in a freshening and twitchy 20 to 25 K south-westerly which mentally and physically tested all participants. It was a brilliant session! Of special note, Dean Cleland was the only boat to not capsize during the day. You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face!
After returning to shore, a debrief session was conducted, tying up all the themes of the day. Numerous photos and videos have been posted to the BYS Aero WhatsApp group, which will provide both a lasting legacy and a study module for future analysis.
It’s no doubt that Sunday’s coaching will raise the confidence and knowledge level across the fleet, especially for those who’ve been in the class for less than a year.
The Aero is a dynamic and exhilarating rocket ship and targeted coaching from two of the class’s most skilled proponents will improve the overall quality of our fleet, which in turn will increase the attractiveness of this rapidly growing class at BYS- especially as we look to host the State Championships in March 2025 and the National Championships in January 2026.
Thank you to BYS for its financial contribution to the clinic and to Madie for her help on the day.
DOC LITTLE
