🌊July Sunshine, Gusts, and Everything In-Between

Over the past few training weekends, Blind Sailing has been treated to the full British weather spectrum—from challenging gusts to Mediterranean-like calm.

From Gusts to Glassy Waters

Earlier in the month, gusty conditions tested our teamwork and resilience. On one weekend, we could only sail on Saturday; Sunday’s winds were too strong. But we put that time to good use—leaving the RS21s safely in the boat park and turning our attention to land drills. Volunteers and sailors alike practised moving smoothly and in unison across the boats, sharpening our coordination and safety awareness.

Fast-forward to our most recent session, and it felt as though Edith Weston (home to Rutland Sailing Club) had been plucked up and dropped into the Mediterranean. Gone were the gusts—this time, we hunted for the faintest puffs of breeze.

Sailing in these light airs demanded precision:

• Subtle body weight adjustments

• Minimal rudder use

• Constant fine-tuning of sail controls

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Upwind legs brought welcome coolness; downwind runs were slow and warm. The breeze filled in just as we were heading in on Saturday afternoon, and Sunday returned to light-wind tactics—chasing shifts, dodging headers, and staying patient.

These contrasting conditions prepare every sailor, from novice to seasoned racer, for anything. With some of our members aiming for selection for the Para Sailing World Championships later this year in Oman, adaptability is essential.

Meet Tina – Our Newest Crew Member

Tina joined Blind Sailing earlier this year and has already attended four monthly training sessions at Rutland. Here’s her story in her own words:

"I was looking for a way to continue sailing despite my deteriorating eyesight due to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Thanks to a friend in the RYA, I was introduced to Lucy, and after my first trial session, I was hooked!While I’m an experienced dinghy sailor, keelboats—and especially the RS21—were new to me. The learning curve has been steep but exciting.We’ve trained in all sorts of conditions, with different crews and volunteers each time. Sessions with RYA coach Becky were particularly memorable, with challenging exercises in strong winds.This last weekend’s light winds gave us the chance to work on boat balance, trim, and sail settings. My biggest challenge so far has been keeping communication consistent with different crew members—but I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and lucky to be part of the team."

A Different Kind of Weekend

This training session was organised a little differently—more like two separate day sails than our usual weekend-long camp. With the club hosting the Streaker Nationals, we had to sort our own accommodation, which meant being scattered across Rutland (the UK’s smallest county—unless the tide’s in on the Isle of Wight!).

Even with the logistical shuffle, the focus on personal goals remained strong. Some sailors worked on coordinated movement across the boat, while others honed manoeuvres. The camaraderie—on and off the water—remained as strong as ever, supported by our fantastic volunteers.

Special thanks to:

• The sunshine (for requiring so much sunscreen)

• The hydration squad (aka everyone with a water bottle)

• Our volunteers and fellow sailors, who keep making each weekend special, and Rutland Sailing Club, Rooster for keeping us protected and ARB Tree and Garden Solutions.

☀️ Lots of suncream, plenty of water, and endless smiles went into making this weekend a success!