Midlands Area Training

To support sailors who wish to progress their sailing ability we hold Open Training events throughout the year.  In order to take part in these training events you need to be able to safely sail a triangular course in light and medium winds.

Open training can be booked via the enter events tab on the ITCA website or by the links shown below. 

The Coaches

We use a variety of coaches in the region. All the coaches will be Racing Coach Level 2 qualified. 

Open Training Information

Open Training is run locally by the ITCA team at clubs across the Midlands Region. The Topper is an RYA 'pathway' class, which means it is recognised as developing the technical, physical and racing skills necessary to succeed at Youth and Olympic level. Our training days are open to all Topper sailors, from improvers to advanced racers, so long as sailors are competent to sail a triangular course. Non ITCA members can attend one open coaching event. If you enjoy the training we'd like you to join ITCA for additional coaching and racing.

We aim to have a ratio no higher than 1 coach to 8 sailors, often less, but please book early so that we can confirm the correct number of coaches as early as possible.

Typical training day timetable

• Arrival from 8.30am (check event details)
• Registration is available from 9.00am
• Coaching begins in club house at 9.30am with boats rigged, then after briefing it is straight onto the water.
• Lunch break - make sure to bring a good packed lunch, some clubs will have galley food available but you will be notified of this in advance of the event. Be sure to bring plenty of drinks.
• Debrief 4.00pm
• Finish 4.30pm but this may vary dependant on the weather conditions and amount of daylight.

Essential Equipment and Advice for the Coaching Day

· All sailors and on-water helpers are expected to be properly equipped for the day so please check the conditions ahead of time. It is essential that all sailors are dressed appropriately for the winter sailing conditions. Some of the sessions take place at the coldest points of the winter, so to take advantage of the coaching you need to be warm enough. It is expected that sailors use their own Toppers. Some clubs may have boats available to hire but this is not guaranteed and will need to be arranged independently of ITCA. 

· Sailors should bring a pen and notebook to briefings and debriefings because it is impossible to remember even half of the information you will receive, so if its written down you can refer back to it. Please also have a drink in all briefings and out on the water with you to make sure you stay hydrated.

Parents

· For all sailors under 18 there must be an adult responsible for the sailor during the event, ie. someone who will be at or in the immediate vicinity of the club.

· Parents will be asked in advance to volunteer as crews for the coach boats and for on shore duties so make sure you also are appropriately dressed and please ask if you need to borrow a buoyancy aid. All parents need to help launch their sailors so waterproof/non slip footwear is essential.