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FOR SALE:
Wooden Optimist, fully equipped for training, complete with cover and trolley - £600
Contact Naomi Judge T: 01202 602152 M: 07890687251 E: matthew.naomijudge@sky.com
THE OPTIMIST - What an awesome boat!
Whether you are just about to take your first tentative step into sailing or an Olympic champion you have one thing in common, the Opi!
The legend that is Ben Ainslie (he has won loads of sailing medals) started to sail in an Optimist, in his book he recalls his first few efforts at sailing and they sound a lot like some of the comments the level one guys said to me this year. One of his best is the fact he could not tack! He headed out got rescued and then went out again, eventually the rescue boat driver turned to his dad and said; either you teach him to tack or I won’t go and get him again!
Over the last couple of seasons we have been re-building a great fleet of Optimists, yes we do have the level one starter group, and yes we will teach you to tack! It’s the best place to learn as you are in charge right from the start. We progress through the RYA levels to our race group. At each level you will get great support and training from your coaches some of our clubs best young (and not so young) sailors help with the coaching, so with some effort and practice you too could be another Ben?
Our race group this year have competed in national events and traveled to some open meetings and are still training over the winter. Imagine, you could join them, a couple of this group have only sailed an Optimist for a season and already they are competing with 500+ boats at the nationals. There are only a handful of boats that offer this level of sailing.
The Opi is a great little boat that is easy to sail but extremely challenging to race well. We have a fab bunch of sailors, so you will have a great time both on and off the water and the mums and dads aren’t too bad either. So when you are looking at the entry form you know you want to tick the Opi box and join the coolest fleet in Poole.
If you don’t believe me (with your parents permission) check out the videos on the Optimist web site.
http://www.optimistsailing.org.uk/new/home.htm
I look forward to seeing you all next season.
Rob Kemp
Optiminist Class Captain
October 2010