The WA Minnow Training Weekend was held at Shelley Sailing Club on the weekend of 17 & 18 September with 17 enthusiastic Minnow sailors in attendance.
Despite an intimidating weather forecast all of the sailors managed to get two long sailing sessions in on the Saturday starting out in near perfect 6 to 8 knot conditions with the breeze increasing to 15 to 18 knots as the day progressed. The sailors were divided into three different groups to reflect their experience and learning needs. The more advanced sailors also went for a third late afternoon session on Saturday afternoon in 20+ knots for a bit of high speed reaching and boat handling practice with two times National 420 champion Matt Jerwood doing the coaching.
A feed of pizza and icecreams for dinner was followed by a rules session and then teams game hunting for balls in the dark surrounds of the club. Just like sailing the rules for the game allowed for plenty on room for manipulation to achieve tactical advantage. Jack Kelly demonstrated a clear understanding of the opportunities in the rules and (quite legally) buried some of the other teams balls to his team’s obvious advantage and final victory.
A very windy night, with lots of snoring, was followed by an early morning squall of 45 knots which saw the parents at the sleepover out in the pouring rain at 6am shifting the boats into the lee of the clubhouse while waves crashed over the usually protected seawall and washed across the grass to flow back down the launching ramp and back into the river.
The Sunday was filled with exercise, theory sessions, and lots of eating as the wind gusting between the 20 to 35 knot mark. The advanced group did get out for a sail despite the storm and it was great to see how they managed the wild conditions, but even they were driven back to shore as the wind peaked.
A great time was had by all (we hope) and some great preparation for the upcoming season and the Nationals at Rockingham in January.
Some photos and video from the Minnow Training Weekend at Shelley Sailing Club.
Some great weather on Saturday with plenty of sailing…
But things got a little stormy on Sunday.
