UKLA Chair blog #44

I remember shortly after getting my first Laser (only standard rigs back then), having come out of Optimists,  planing on a reach and being thrilled with the speed. I can still remember where I thought “that’s the fastest I have ever been in a sailing boat”. Well over 45 years later, I was again exhilarated by a planing reach across Weymouth Harbour in 12 knots. And that’s the point, (ILCA) sailing can be a passion for life. It has allowed me to still be  enjoying the sport in my fifth decade, to have competed at the highest level and still be able to club race on a Wednesday evening at Queen Mary. It has taught me about winning and losing and about the hard work needed to improve. And it has given me life-long friends. That’s the message for younger sailors. This is a sport for life and the ILCA can be a platform for that.

Of course, I remain a competitive person and I don’t like performing below my expectations. When it happens, I must remind myself of all the sport as brought me. As parent, it is natural to aspire to great things for our children. To be the next Ben Ainslie or Shirley Robinson, but it is worth remembering that would be the exception and the journey of improving has many of the benefits I describe above. So much better in my view to develop that “passion for life” rather than realising at 20 that you are not going to be the next Ben or Shirley and give it all up.

I am not for a second suggesting that we don’t aspire to be the best or shouldn’t feel disappointment that our expectations aren’t met. These are the natural consequences of sport and the journey is not one of steady progress but rather ups and downs along the way where hopefully the overall trajectory is upwards. Disappointments are natural and it is how they are dealt with that is important, for example as a motivator to improve, rather than a barrier.

As the summer opens up, we have the chance the aspire and improve but above all we have a chance to indulge our passion.

Snippets:

See our calendar for loads of event coming up. In particular there is a Youth event at RSYC on 15th/16th July for ILCA4s and ILCA6s – you can enter here Royal Southern Yacht Club : ILCA Youth Open (royal-southern.co.uk)

Don’t forget the Masters Nationals in just over 4 weeks – all welcome.You must be UKLA member to see tickets and be able to book. JOIN UKLA HERE And don’t forget you can enter an ILCA4 (See blog#40)

This year the Nationals are again at Hayling Island Sailing Club in August providing a great sailing venue and super onshore facilities. We will have daily race clinics, a mentoring program and full social program so it is ideal for anyone wanting to come and race an ILCA4. As the boat is so easy to sail, why not bring a friend as it is quite easy to borrow an ILCA (only the sail and bottom mast section are different to the other rigs) and enjoy the week! And remember this is open to all ages. You will find loads of information here on our website.

Super Sunday is 25th June!  We want to get as many ILCAs/Lasers on the water as possible and see if we can set a record! (see blog #41).