Aug/09
28
Support for helms who want to improve their helming
6 Comments · Posted by Diana in DB Week 2009
Hi
I was also thinking that DB week would be a great opportunity for a bit of support for helms who want to improve their helming. With so many experienced helms around, it would be wonderful to set up a new race where ‘improver’ helms are randomly allocated an experienced helm who would crew for them and give them advice on how their boat is set, racing technique etc. I am sure there are some people who would love a bit of advice but don’t really know how or who to ask (I’m lucky – I’ve got my father!).
What do people think?
Diana
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John Yonwin · August 30, 2009 at 11:05 am
Great idea……..I remember the talk around one of the DBs last year, or the year before (or was it Chichester?) when I, and others, picked up some useful tips. I think such an initiative, if it needs some funding….should qualify for some of the funds we, as an Assn. are holding. Developing our helms and crews is very important.
David Cake · September 1, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I think that’s a good idea too. We threw some ideas around after the discussion in Fishguard. We thought the opportunist race had a nice ring to it.
If ‘experienced’ helms are happy to enter their boat and their services they will sign up for the race. Then the ‘opportunists’ will draw numbers from a hat to allocate them the boat and helm who will crew for them. That way you will always have someone in the boat who knows all the bits of string and can look after their beloved craft.
As we all know, no 2 boats are the same and it can be a bit daunting for a new crew to step into a boat full of ropes they don’t recognise.
Harriet · September 1, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I think this sounds really fab. I’m useless as a helm and would find it amazingly helpful to learn some new techniques. I’m guessing you could actually do it either way – improver helm and experienced crew sailing in either of their boats…I know i’d prefer to sail in my boat just so that I can get used to it as, like we all know, every boat is different!
Harri
David Morrice · September 9, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I would certainly be very keen to take up such an opportunity. While there are epic battles going on at the rear of the fleet, it does get a bit frustrating not knowing why speed is being continually lost, despite trying hard. There is of course so much to learn but every little helps. It would be an onus on the experienced helms but would definitely be appreciated by myself. It would also I suspect help strengthen the association in the future by encouraging new helms to develop rather than become disillusioned. Regards, David
Admin comment by Tim · November 8, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I am happy to be able to report that the YWDB Association Committee met yesterday and having considered the original idea and the subsequent comments decided to organise an ‘Opportunity Race’ in place of the Ladies Race at Salcombe in 2010.
This will be done along the lines of Diana’s suggestion that experienced helms would be allocated to helms from the rear of the fleet on a random basis.
john yonwin · November 8, 2009 at 6:15 pm
great idea
John