Time on the water….?
In my travels around many sailing clubs I
regularly hear sailors and parents talking about how to improve. ‘It’s all
about time on the water,” is probably the most commonly uttered sentence. While
it is certainly true that to get better a sailor needs to go sailing, I can
think of many examples of sailors who despite many thousands of hours afloat
haven’t made it beyond the level of average club sailor. Now this in itself is in
no way a bad thing, sailing can be about challenging yourself to see how good
you can become and winning races, but ultimately it should be about enjoying
free time and spending time with friends. If the sailing someone does is
satisfying to them then why change anything?
However, if a sailor is really trying to get
better and just can’t understand why sailors with less experience are beating
them it is probably time to debunk the myth that more time on the water equals
a better sailor. It isn’t all about quantity, quality is as, if not more
important. Aim to do everything to a higher quality.
·
Aim to make each tack, gybe,
mark rounding, leg of the course just a little bit better. Top sailors win by
doing everything just a little bit better. All the small bits add up quickly.
·
Don’t think, ‘that will do,’
recognise if something wasn’t 100% and work out how it can be improved.
·
Every time you go sailing sail
as if you are racing, sailing fast will become a habit.
·
Every time you go racing treat
it as if it is an open you want to do well at or the national championships.
·
After training or racing
analyse what went well/ what didn’t work out; areas to improve; how to improve.
Then do it.
·
In training come up with
activities which can provide you with feedback on how well you performed
something. Use that feedback to improve.
·
Seek out some good coaching
·
Don’t wait to be told or expect
divine inspiration. Sailing is a complex sport, read books, blogs, watch videos
and ask questions.
·
Aim higher. Take part in bigger
and better competitions.
·
Be disciplined, eat well, at
least the night and morning before an event. Plan ahead with food and drink to
keep you working through the day.
·
Get your boat in tip top
condition.
·
Get a bit fitter. Aim for
sailing specific fitness
·
Turn up early before racing so
you are completely prepared.
·
Come up with routines to do
before the start, do them.
·
Set goals.
·
Spend time on the water
·
Practice to a higher intensity
than in racing
This is a list of some of the things that
the best sailors will do, rather than more time on the water think more quality
time on the water.
Try reading
The Mundanity of Excellence By Daniel
Chambliss (1989) http://manzoid.com/static/mundanity_of_excellence.pdf
Deliberate Practice by Corbett Barr
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