Ontario Clubs’ Optimist Virtual Training
Updated: May 12, 2020
(Updated Weekly: Connect to the Google Doc)
Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) LIVE: Program is up and running (See Below)
Kingston Yacht Club (KYC) Programming beginning July 1, 2020 (See Below)
Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) LIVE: Program is up and running (See Below)
Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) LIVE: Northern Channel Resource Centre
Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club (ABYC)
Optimist Race Teams Spring Online Training at ABYC in LIVE now – Ongoing
Chris Ruch. Sailing School Director e: [email protected]
Our Opti Race Team spring training has moved online, for obvious reasons! This includes both Opti Green Fleet and Opti Championship Fleet. Please see below for a summary of the programming. The cost for the 8 weekends, May 2nd to June 20th is $400. You can sign up here.
The Program is delivered via ZOOM. In compliance with best practice, the ZOOM link assigned has a password, and upon entry you are directed into a “waiting room”. From there you will be admitted by the administrator, once they confirm your identity.
Furthermore, we adhere to SailCanada’s “rule of two” meaning there will be two adults present during the sessions – the coach and another adult (a parent, 2nd coach, or ABYC representative).
Each Saturday we have guest speakers from the world of sailing talking to our racers about a range of topics. Please note, these are not opti specific and our Laser and Double Handed teams will be partaking. The Guest Speakers are lined up for Saturdays, 3:00 – 4:00p.m.
Here is the ABYC Guest Speaker Schedule
May 2nd: Will Bonin Managing school and racing 49ers, Canadian Development Team.
May 9th: Sarah Douglas shares her journey pursuing Olympic Dreams, including advice on how to prepare mentally and physically for your sailing goals.
May 16th: Chris Hewson. As an Ontario Sailing instructor, Chris will be educating us about the opportunities our racers can have through the Ontario Sailing Team, the selection process, and other important information.
May 23rd: Wendy Loat will be helping the racers brush up on their knowledge and application of the rules, judging, and how to represent yourself in the protest room.
May 30th: Paul Brenan, will be giving his top tips from the race committee: Start lines, prep flags, course changes and more. (As Commodore of ABYC, Paul’s talk is subject to change, depending on how Covid related regulations affect the launch schedule for the club)
June 6th: Clara Gravley shares her path to the Laser National Team, and her experiences representing Canada on the international stage.
June 13th: Steve Mitchell. As an Olympian and World Champion in the Star Class, Steve has many inspirational tales to share.
June 20th: Diane Reid is an Internationally qualified Yachtmaster. She has made a career out of her passion and will share some insights from her experiences as instructor, ocean racer , and as a professional skipper.
Green and Champ Fleet Lessons, Sundays 2:00 –4:00p.m. :
| Date | Green Fleet | Champ Fleet |
| May 3 | Points of Sail A review of sailing the various points of sail. | Intros & Goals What is a competitor’s mentality? Finding yours and setting our personal seasons goals. |
| May 10 | Knowing your Knots! How to tie them and when to use them. | Event preparation How to prepare for a regatta: mental, physical, and your equipment. |
| May 17 | Courses How do you know where to go?! Using your sailing instructions (S.I.s) and on the water markers. | Rigging and Sail Shape How to tune your boat for optimal performance in a range of sailing conditions. |
| May 24 | Starts You may not win the race on the start line – but you sure can lose it! Learn the basics of starting your race. | Starts You may not win the race on the start line – but you sure can lose it! Learn which end is favoured and how to position yourself for the perfect start to your race. |
| May 30 | Rules What are the rules of the race course, and what do when things go wrong | Fleet Positioning Learn how to make winning strategic decisions based on where you find yourself within the fleet. |
| June 6 | Weather Reading the weather to make wise on course decisions | Wind Shifts Reading the wind is an essential skill. Learn about wind shifts, oscillations and their timing, and how to apply that knowledge to tactical decision making. |
| June 13 | Individual Presentations As assigned by the coach – a chance to demonstrate your learning. | Downwind and Beam Reaches How to gain places (or keep the lead!) on these vital points of sail. |
| June 20 | Fun wrap-up week This will be decided jointly between class and coach | Weather and Current Knowing how to read the weather and current can be the difference between winning and losing. Learn how to make the right calls |
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Chris Ruch. Sailing School Director [email protected]
Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) LIVE: Program is up and running Kingston Yacht Club (KYC) Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) LIVE: Program is up and running
Kingston Yacht Club (KYC)
Online program beginning July 1, 2020
KYC will be offering daily lessons, activities, and challenges for our Kingston sailors and anyone else interested starting July 1, 2020. We will incorporate pre-recorded lessons, interactive zoom calls, talks with the professionals, and virtual regatta racing (both as KYC competitive fun and as training for the bigger CODA and other class events).
We’re excited to use this online opportunity to connect KYC with other clubs and sailors all over Canada and the World. More information will be posted on the Junior Sailing page of our website when available:
https://school.kingstonyachtclub.com/juniorsailing/?page=welcome
Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC)
PCYC’ sOnline program is on now!
The PCYC RACING TEAM SPRING TRAINING program has moved online. The program is up and running. Reach out for more details [email protected]
The 26-week program, three x one-hour sessions per week has begun! If you haven’t signed up but are still interested, please contact [email protected]
PCYC has just completed its very well attended weekly Olympian Sailor program – if they recorded the sessions, we’ll ask if they can publish them online!
Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC)
The Northern Channel Resource Centre is LIVE
The RCYC, along with Ontario Sailing and National Yacht Club has created an online resource centre for sailors. Check it out at https://thenorthernchannel.wordpress.com/
Have something to add?
If you have information you would like to share with Ontario’s Optimist sailing community, please send to [email protected]
