The first BUSA development funded weekend took place on the 7-8thof September at Bardowie Loch, hosted by Strathclyde University and assisted by Scottish Student Sailing.
The Coach Coaching Weekend took place early in the year, to maximise the time that participants had to develop their skills throughout the university sailing season.
The Saturday started early at Clyde Cruising Club Dinghy Section (Bardowie) with sailors meeting at 0830 ready to make the most of the training ahead. All of the participants spent the first day learning more about the best techniques and methods to deliver f team race training and they were enthusiastic about improving their skills in coaching, with some even doing the pre-course reading.
Saturday started with looking at what makes a firefly goes fast and a discussion on boat set up, all based on the philosophy that boat speed and boat handling are the underpinnings of good quality team racing. These morning sessions moved quickly with the focus switching towards practical, on the water, exercises for working on speed and boat handling. With the classically light and fluky characteristic Bardowie winds, sailors had to work hard to maintain their concentration and focus. The morning finished up with an informative discussion on session planning.
That lunch time chats moved towards the challenges of delivering sessions over a semester time scale and how to make the most of the time available. The afternoon began by focusing on box courses and team racing combinations, vital for all sailors to grasp if they want to compete at BUSA finals.. This was the perfect opportunity to put the theory into practice. After a fantastic day on the water the sailors were kindly hosted by Glasgow University for the night before the next day which was theoretical in nature and delivered in Glasgow University.
The Sunday was a classroom based day focusing on the more theoretical elements of what makes an effective coach. Feedback strategies and session planning were key themes from the day.
SSS Would like to say a massive thank you to James Logan and Nikki Stewart from RYA Scotland for delivering the weekend. We would also like to thank BUSA Development fund which helped make the weekend possible.