Skiff coaching
at Blackwater Sailing Club with Ian Turnbull
 15
club boats and visitors of various skiff classes arrived
at Blackwater Sailing Club just outside Maldon in Essex
for a weekend of coaching with top skiff sailor Ian
(Bov) Turnbull.
Organised by Jon Simpson from the home club, the sailors
were ready to go at 11:00 on Saturday morning, with
a good breeze, and brilliant sunshine. All be it that
they also had to remove the ice from their ropes and
centreboard gaskets etc as it was still -2°c…
Prior to launching Bov chatted to the sailors giving
them a run through of the plan for the day, and some
friendly set up advice. A short windward leeward course
was set not far from the club and the fleet were gathered
for a series of two lap sailing. This gave the coach
time to follow every sailor during the session and give
tips on improving sail and rig tune as well as technique.
Video footage was also gathered as Bov discussed the
finer points of skiff sailing with the participants
for de-briefing afterwards.
Once off the water, everyone gathered in the briefing
room, accompanied by plates of an excellent chili prepared
by Jon’s wife Cheryl whilst everyone was on the water.
Bov ran through the video of each sailor, and the group
discussed the points raised and all felt a great deal
had already been picked up.
 Sunday
dawned again bright and sunny, but cold. The sailors
launched for a coaching session based on box starting
to improve not only starting but their ability to control
the boats at slow speed, which is something most skiff
sailors tend not to do; they’d rather blast around!
However, control of the boat at slow speed and maneuvering
is fundamental to starting, and can be extremely useful
at packed mark rounding’s.
Again, video footage formed a key element to Bov’s coaching
style, and this information was relayed to the sailors
once ashore.
DVD’s of the footage is being made available to all
participants, along with similar footage taken earlier
of the top guys showing how to do it.
Many thanks to the Blackwater Sailing Club for not only
hosting the event, but supplying a fully fuelled RIB,
to Jon and Cheryl for organising the event (and the
chili) and of course to Bov for his excellent input
as coach. The club is planning to run another session
with Bov later in the season, so keep your eyes open
for the dates.
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