Below are some easy steps to follow which will give you a good start in putting together a successful campaign. These are not very difficult, but it does require commitment on your part.
There are many boats you could choose to campaign, and if you choose the wrong one for you, your campaign is less likely to succeed. The RYA have recognised some classes as youth classes, and provide lots of excellent coaching in these classes at varying levels. These RYA classes are the best to campaign due to the amount of support you can receive from the RYA. The RYA classes are currently:
If you wish to campaign a different class of boat, you should enquire with the class association about the level of training and the number of class events to ensure that the boat will not impede your personal progress. For more information on classes of boats, see the What boat to sail? section.
Once you have chosen a class of boat to campaign, you should find out some information about the class. Information can be found easily on the class association website. Joining the class association is a very good idea as they will send you information about the class and events. In most classes it is compulsory to join if you intend to do any of the class events. Membership of a class association is usually between £15 and £30. This is often where you can find out information about events, tuning advice and racing tips.
In order that you get the most out of the campaign, it is necessary to plan in advance what events you are going to do. Information about events is available for each class via the class association. I would recommend that you at least participate in the following:
If you do not have your own boat, there are several ways to get a boat to compete at these events (HYDRS members only). HYDRS have 2 Toppers which are available to members to campaign. These will probably be let out on 6 month or 12 month contracts, which will effectively make them your own boat for that period.
BLYM own a 420 which is let out on 6 month or 12 month contracts. If you present a case to the BLYM committee for discussion, they may lend you a different boat on a similar contract. If not BLYM boats are available for hire to take away at the discretion of the committee for each event.
For non-HYDRS members, an additional option is to contact the RYA who own fleets of boats which are let out to sailors on contract for serious racing campaigns. If all of these options fail, you could try to get a sports grant from one of the many charities set up to promote youth sports.
Once you have a boat and a programme, it is a very good idea to set yourself some targets or goals for the year and the long term. Goal setting is an important skill as it manages expectations. If you go to a Topper event and expect to be in the top 10 at your first event you may well be disappointed, however if you set a target of not being lapped, or not being last, or simply finishing all the races, you are more likely to achieve it. That said, it is equally important that your goals are sufficiently challenging, otherwise you will not improve. A useful acronym for setting goals is SMARTER. Good goals should be:
For more help or guidance on goal setting please ask me and I will be happy to help.
Having set your targets, it is essential that you monitor and review your progress. It is likely that you are achieving some of your goals, which is a positive sign. It is also likely that some of your goals are proving more elusive. If this is spotted, steps can be taken to rectify this, however if it goes unnoticed, your improvement will be slowed.
If you begin to do well in your boat, it may be possible for you to get personal sponsorship. Sponsorship is usually gained from local or related companies, or from companies with which you may have a personal contact. Please ask me or one of the other coaches for more information on gaining sponsorship.