Hi All,
after a windy but successfull Boskop open regatta, it is clear that the Northvaal Dabbies need some training before the nationals in Hermanus. Our aim is to get more than 10 Fit, Fast, Fabulous DABBIES from North Vaal Region to the Youth Nationals at Hermanus this year to show those Western Cape/Eastern Cape and KZN boats that they are not the only ones challenging for the top of the DABCHICK fleet.
The idea was discussed amoung the Dabbie sailors and the suggestion of training on one day for 2 or 3 weekends running seemed to suit most people, and still allow everyone to study for the exams, which are very important for all of you, so this is how we are proposing to do it!
Excluding this weekend 5-6th November, we have 4 weekends left before the Youth Nationals 11th-17th December 2011. The weekend of the 26th-27th November is the VLC regatta, and we have to support that event, but also use it to the full for training purposes before the nationals.
Aeolians offered us the use of their facilities and a motor boat for youth training on 3 weekends, as long as we pay for petrol for the motorboat. This also gives us the opportunity to utilise the larger expanse of water and hopefully get exposure to stronger, more steady wind and chop as we expect these conditions at Hermanus.
We travel down to Aeolians on Saturday 12th or Sunday 13th November, early, so we can be rigged and on the water by 08h00 and get some quality sailing in until about 16h00 when we pack up and leave the boats safely stored, under cover at Aeolians. ONE DAY training only, the other day is for studying, remember!
We return on 19th or 20th, again early and get anothe full days sailing in before packing up at 15h00 to return to JHB, ready to do some power studying and have the boats available for VLC cup on the next weekend.
VLC cup is compulsory for all those finished with exams, but one day only for those still writing.
We return to Aeolians for an intense weekend of training on the 3rd and 4th, our last weekend before the Nationals.
Tim Gibbons has agreed to structure a training program for these 4 training days, and be there to coach you all. The focus will be Boat handling (Tacking, Gybing, Mark roundings, Starts), Boat speed (Upwind, Reaching, Downwind), Strategy and Tactics (Starts, 1 minute after start, Mark roundings, Finishing), Team racing (Team and match racing rules and situations).
Please let me or Paul know by return email (As soon as you read this) which sessions you can attend and if you need help with transport.
Dates:
12 or 13th Nov – Aeolians
19 or 20th Nov – Aeolians
26 or 27th Nov VLC
3 and 4th Dec – Aeolians
Remember to start your daily fitness training with your goal in mind. Get plenty of sleep, Study extra hard. Write your exams well so you can sail even better at the YOUTH NATIONALS 2011 – HERMANUS!
Remember to get your Nationals entries in before 15 November!!!
Warwick & Orpa Ham