April Training At Rutland In All Conditions

It was fantastic to welcome Coach Becky to our April training weekend at Rutland. We were all keeping our fingers crossed that she’d enjoy the group and want to become part of our coaching team—and from the weekend's energy, it looks promising!

But first, a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers. These weekends simply wouldn’t be possible without them. Our members often go on to support others, but it’s the sighted volunteers who play a crucial role in developing the skills of new participants and running the activities. We rely on their eyes and guidance, and we are genuinely grateful for their dedication. This month, we also wished a few volunteers well as they take some time away—we look forward to welcoming them back soon, fit and healthy.

Friday – A Sunny Start

This month kicked off again with the new initiative: Friday afternoon sailing sessions for the first three months of the season. It’s a great opportunity for sailors to shake off the winter cobwebs and get back into the boat a little early.

But, it was also a day to say fair sailing to a legend Andy Cassell who sadly passed away after a short illness. He was a true supporter of Blind Sailing and all disabled sailing, Lucy met Andy at the age of 17 and always looked up to him as did many of the sailors who met him and had the chance to sail with him or be trained by him. Lucy said a few words and scattered flowers, a sailor who will be truly missed.

The wind was very light, but the RS21s handled it well and kept moving. It was a perfect time for Becky to get out on the water and experience blind sailing firsthand before the main weekend began. We spent a few valuable hours on the water focusing on movement and communication, before heading ashore to meet the rest of the group. And yes—the sun was shining brilliantly all day!

Saturday – Building Skills with a Breeze

Saturday brought a much better breeze than we had in March (when sailing was cut short due to too much wind). We picked up where we left off, restarting with our final drill from last time—only with a twist. This time, sailors had to hold their position on the start line, not knowing when the start signal would come after the three-minute gun. It was a great test of timing, control, and boat handling, and communication.

Time flew by, and we ended the day with a few short races before gathering for a debrief and some personal coaching points for each sailor. Afterward, we headed out for a well-earned evening meal and a good catch-up.

Sunday – Footwork Focus

Sunday’s breeze picked up again, so we adjusted the plan and focused on a common challenge: footwork. We set up a windward-leeward course and asked sailors to complete five tacks and five gybes—an excellent way to develop confidence and fluid movement in the boat. The focus was on feeling comfortable and balanced first, then working smoothly with the rest of the team.

As the wind continued to rise, we wrapped up on shore with a final debrief. There were lots of great takeaways to carry into our next training weekend in May as we continue building race skills.

A Final Thanks

A huge thank you once again to all the volunteers who made this weekend happen—including those who stepped in at the last minute to help. Your support means the world to us and allows us to keep these weekends running smoothly.

Here’s to more great sailing and learning in May! And the good news is Becky is coming back.