Like to be at your best for the next regatta or creep up club rankings next season?
Me too, so I asked Rob Douglas for advice we can all benefit from. Rob is a multiple World, National & State champion and will soon compete in the Tasar Nationals in Darwin. Here's what he's up to...
Whats important for a major championship?
The short answer is Preparation.
What are your goals?
▪ Don’t be shy but don’t be unrealistic either.
▪ Prepare to meet them.
▪ Start with your weaknesses. Are they in boat handling, communication, strategy, starting? Address each issue to the best of your ability. Does this mean coaching, practice, fitness or reading. Do what you can. Keep a log if you are at the upper end of the fleet or would like to be.
| ▪ | Don’t be shy but don’t be unrealistic either. |
| ▪ | Start with your weaknesses. Are they in boat handling, communication, strategy, starting? Address each issue to the best of your ability. Does this mean coaching, practice, fitness or reading. Do what you can. Keep a log if you are at the upper end of the fleet or would like to be. |
Venue
▪ Have you been to the venue before? If yes what did you learn?
▪ Who do you know that you can talk to about the venue?
▪ Get on Google earth and check the geography and topography.
▪ Make some maps of the race area (maybe 20).
| ▪ | Have you been to the venue before? If yes what did you learn? |
| ▪ | Who do you know that you can talk to about the venue? |
| ▪ | Get on Google earth and check the geography and topography. |
| ▪ | Make some maps of the race area (maybe 20). |
In practice
▪ Get onto the race track (the actual area you will race on) and ensure you have a feel for local wind and tide information.
▪ Record what you observe on the map sheets you prepared.
▪ Talk to the locals about what you have observed and test your theories.
| ▪ | Get onto the race track (the actual area you will race on) and ensure you have a feel for local wind and tide information. |
| ▪ | Record what you observe on the map sheets you prepared. |
| ▪ | Talk to the locals about what you have observed and test your theories. |
On shore
▪ At the venue make sure you are comfortable with where everything is.
▪ Be aware of Regatta notices and flags.
▪ Go over your boat from top to bottom. That means every screw and bolt from the top of the mast to the transom.
▪ Where you can leave spares and tools if something goes wrong.
▪ If there is a breakage to another boat check your own boat for the same weakness.
| ▪ | At the venue make sure you are comfortable with where everything is. |
| ▪ | Be aware of Regatta notices and flags. |
| ▪ | Go over your boat from top to bottom. That means every screw and bolt from the top of the mast to the transom. |
| ▪ | Where you can leave spares and tools if something goes wrong. |
| ▪ | If there is a breakage to another boat check your own boat for the same weakness. |
Example - next major event
So my next major event is the Tasar National Titles in Darwin commencing 18 July 2018. We have been there 4 times sailing so know it well.
My goal (along with my longstanding crew Nicole) is to win but we have our challenges.
Due to work commitments Nic will not be available until 2 weeks prior to the regatta. Her work involves sailing media and so her mind is always on the topic which is a plus. I will also be very busy and away from sailing for a considerable time pre regatta. No excuses though – just deal with it.
The main weaknesses are therefore time in a Tasar together and fitness. The next best thing for me is sailing with other crews and/or other boats. I have a Tasar, Flying Dutchman and a Laser I can sail quite readily once I get back to Australia in June. I will do as much as I can before I go to the hardest of the training mechanisms – the hiking bench. Before I get back it will be walking, the gym and bike.
Once Nicole lands in the country we are heading straight to Darwin to deal with the main weakness – that we have not been able to sail together.
We have a billet organised for extra accommodation pre regatta. Being in the venue early creates time to chat to locals and prepare fully. We will also have time in the boat to get rid of all the excuses that inevitably build in up in unprepared crews.
Good tools
One of the best tools I have heard (and used) is to tell people you are going to come X in the regatta. Where X = your (best) goal. That way you tend to put the effort in to make it happen. So there I have said it!!
Good sailing
Rob Douglass, President - Tasar Association of NSW
