|
The Optimist class in LRYC is a small but very important part
of the overall sailing mix in the Club. It
is the entry point for most sailors who will then grow up
through the other classes in the Club. Optimist sailors gain
knowledge of the mechanics of sailing and most importantly
they develop a love of this wonderful sport that will stay
with them for life.
| Optimist's
racing in the '70s |
 |
|
There
are three areas where optimists are used within the club.
Winter training, the ISA junior sailing courses and Club racing.
There have always been a number of sailors who sail the regional
and national events at which they gain great experience in
sailing in big fleets and on the sea. A few have gone on to
make the Irish team and have sail at international level.
In 2003 Billy Henshaw and Ivor McNamara made it to the Irish
European Boys Team and Cillian Dickson qualified for the under
12 squad. Lough Ree yacht Club was represented at regional
and national events by Sinead and Ruth Foy, Meadb and Cillian
Dickson, Christine and Peter Mannion, Shane and Hailey O’Donnell,
Simon Connell and Billy Henshaw. The 2004 top 70 ranked sailors
include Cillian Dickson, Christine Mannion, Peter Mannion,
Meadb Dickson, Shane O’Donnell and Ruth Foy. We wish
these sailors success in 2004 and hope some make it through
the trials to get onto some of the Irish teams.
Each
year starts with winter training with the aim of encouraging
as many sailors as possible to get as much time as possible
on the water before club racing starts at the end of May.
They develop good boat control and improve the other skills
that they might have picked up in the previous years sailing
course and through club racing. In 2003 there was an average
of about ten sailors who took part and there is no doubting
the benefits that they derived from this training. The sailors
that took part were well ahead of their fellow sailors in
Club racing during the season and were much more confident.
| |
 |
Optimist
sailors are offered a full schedule of club racing throughout
the year. This starts in May and goes through until the
end of September. Participants are divided into either
the Gold fleet or Silver fleet, depending on their experience.
Both fleets race together but there are separate prizes
for each fleet. Winter Training starts again in October
and runs until Christmas. |
The
junior sailing courses are run during the summer with the
majority of the participants using optimists. Sadly only a
small number of these go on to take part in regular club racing
but there are always a few new recruits every year.
LRYC
has always been fortunate over the years to have a number
of parents who give a lot of time and energy in organising
racing, coaching and encouraging to their children and others
to get involved in sailing. The success of the class if very
much down to their efforts.
-
Richard Foy |
