Solway Yacht Club's cadet season begins

There was quite a buzz around Kippford at the weekend for the start of Solway Yacht Club’s cadet coaching and racing.

Whilst there has been some club racing over the last few weekends, this weekend was all about the cadets.

The fair winds and sunshine made for great conditions for a group of five, nine to 11-year-olds. Under the watchful eye of RYA senior instructor April Whiteley, the cadets took to the water in Picos; two in a boat to build on last year’s skills and blow away the cobwebs. They progressed well over the course of the weekend – all sailing by themselves on the Sunday.

One cadet said: “I capsized the boat, but it was fine, April believed in me, which gave me the confidence and determination to get the boat upright myself.”

The sun continued to shine on Sunday and the racing kicked off for the more advanced cadets. It was great to see the friendship forged over the last few years, rekindled within minutes.

Organised by training officer, Emma McRobert, the cadet series is aimed as a stepping stone towards the main racing series and to ensure there is an element of fun to racing. A buddy system was introduced where cadets had to work with each other, thinking about the course, their start, talking tactics, learning and supporting each other on and off the water.

After a short briefing, 12 boats made their way out to the start hut. The coaches were able to observe and take notes during the racing to provide a valuable learning debrief back off the water.

There are four dates in the series and a theme for each. Sunday’s theme was mark rounding with ribbons and Haribos attached to one of the marks; making cadets focus on their approach and rounding. With a variety of boats taking part there is a