Optimist
Fleet Captain: Nick Hartshorn
Optimist Newletter
Three of our own selected for the 2015-16 RYA
South West Zone Squad. Read more.....
NEW - Oppy Camp and Sunday Oppy Club - See Below
Link to the UK Optimist Association
Watch the 2014 Frampton Oppi Open video - Thanks to Daniel Callen - YOUTUBE LINK
(original photo by Daniel Callen)
More photos from the 2014 Optimist Open
Frampton on Severn Oppy Camp and Oppy Club 2015
Oppy camp kicks off a whole summer of training and racing at Frampton on Severn Sailing Club. The lake boasts shifty conditions and will allow any sailor to improve on their boat handling skills and reading of the water and weather. The sailing club runs one of the most efficient operations in the country with a huge number of sailors taking courses year on year from beginner to winner across all classes. This year we have decided to concentrate on building an Optimist fleet, with a focus on sailing, racing, learning and having fun.
Coaches
This year we have secured two top optimist coaches who have years of experience individually and have also worked together with previous groups.
James Murdock has coached at the highest level for 10 years after an Optimist career which included one World and two European Championships, the Irish and Australian National Championships, and a ranking of 2nd behind current Olympic 470 Girls silver medallist Hannah Mills.
Karen Thomas has coached for the past seven years, mainly working with optimist and topper sailors ranging from regatta fleet mini-racers up to the Welsh National Squad. She spent five years in optimist, topper and laser national squads, a year in the British Keelboat Academy and for the past two years has led a university sailing club.
Oppy Camp
This will start off our summer series and gives all sailors local to Frampton on Severn or sailors wishing to visit Frampton on Severn a chance to enjoy two days, with a night camping at the club and some great sailing on both Tuesday and Wednesday. At the end of Framptons camp there is an opportunity for families to de-camp and make a quick trip across to Bowmoor Sailing Club on Wednesday evening for those who are willing to travel to their Oppy camp, which starts on Thursday 28th May for 3 days.
Oppy Club
The Sunday sessions will have a slightly different format; the day will be split into two. The morning will include coaching by James Murdock or Karen Thomas and will run from 0900 – 1215, with lunch being eaten during a quick debrief. This is followed by a junior race, which starts at 1230 and lasts for approximately 40-50 minutes. There is more racing if the sailors want to use the whole day, with handicap club racing on offer and up to 2 more races before heading home. We meet at 8.30am prompt for a briefing, sailors in sailing kit but not rigged. The group will rig their boats together, taking time to learn about how an Optimist works.
Dates for the diary:
Oppy Camp
Tuesday 26th – Wednesday 27th May with James Murdock
Oppy Club
Sunday 31st May with Karen Thomas
Sunday 7th June with Karen Thomas
Sunday 14th June with James Murdock
Sunday 21st June with James Murdock
Sunday 28th June with James Murdock
Sunday 19th July with James Murdock
Sunday 9th August with Karen Thomas
Sunday 16th August with James Murdock
Cost:
Oppy Camp - £45 members / £50 non-members
Oppy Club - £90 for all 8 sessions including a hot pasta lunch or;
£15 a single session, including a hot pasta lunch
Please could you contact Nick Hartshorn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you are interested in attending either of the events so we know numbers, then complete the booking forms below and send them to Nick Hartshorn (Optimist Fleet Captain) with payment made out to FoSSC.