Youngsters shown the sailing ropes

When the opportunity to practice and train ahead of the racing season is presented to the young sailors of Derbyshire, they certainly commit themselves with vigour. Despite the cold weather, there is no lack of enthusiasm for getting in their boats and working hard to develop and perfect their skills, at all levels and ages. The next training session is being held in the north of the county at Combs Sailing Club on Saturday, March 9 and will be led by coach Richard Rawson of Peak Dinghy Spares. He will be helping the sailors to work on key aspects of their chosen sport and leading them through a series of activities that will be challenging their fitness and capabilities. Rawson raced in several DYS series some years ago and is an RYA trained instructor, so he is well qualified and experienced to help teach today’s competitors. Carsington Sailing Club hosted the first training session of pre-season which was extremely well attended and well received by the sailors. The light wind conditions were perfect for helping the sailors to learn to extend their concentration, so that they can maximise their boat speed and make the most of what little wind there can often be. When the sailors are faced with weather conditions at the lower end of the thermometer, they put on insulating clothes under specialist sailing dry suits that keep them very cosy. They also pull on thick gloves and a variety of warm headwear. Often the sailors return to shore after hours afloat and report that they were too hot as they had to work so hard, but their beaming smiles show how much fun they still had. DYS Training Co-ordinator, volunteer Des Luxton, said: “ many of the sailors are eager to get out onto the racing circuit and start competing at events, their calendars and diaries for this year are already full of commitments for the season.”