Class Training
The Class Training Programme is designed to support sailors of all abilities. The overarching aim is to support each sailing pair to develop their skills in the 420 boat and engender their passion for sailing, driving a desire for increased levels of participation and a willingness of the sailors to compete in the class organised domestic events and where appropriate consider international representation of the British International 420 Class.
Strategically the training structure is aimed at building confident, robust and skilled sailors in all weathers as well as supporting the development of sailing behaviours on and off the water in-line with the RYA and Class charter and the racing rules.
As part of the 420 Class commitment to the RYA Youth pathway the training aims to deliver an annual cohort of adept well rounded 420 sailors with the potential to apply for RYA Youth Squad selection.
Transition Days and Events
The Class runs transition days and events (Try a 420) to help those thinking about joining the Class. We have 2 Class boats available to bring to your Class event or for you to use at ours.
We try and use existing Class member or sailors that have recently left the Class and gone onto coaching. Sailors come to the 420 Class from a variety of other boats Optimist, Tera, Feva, Topper, Cadet and 29er
For more details please get in touch with the Deputy Class Training Officer or Class Training Officer
Class Regional Training (North and South)
The Class runs specific regional training aimed at those transitioning into the Class. .
We aim to have two or three regional training weekends in the autumn and a similar number in the late spring, Coaching is provided by world Class 420 coaches, with on the water coaching, video debriefs, shore based sessions and racing. Where possible, for regional groups the coach to sailor ratio is reduced to maximise time with coaches and learning.
New sailors will be given help to rig the boats and learn the key skills that will help them develop
The Regional Class training for the South will take place at Bough Beech sailing Club and is lead by Tim Rush, Please contact Class Training Officer for more details
We can support the regional training with Class boats and if needed help finding the right helm or crew. As a result you can sign up as an individual and we will help pair you up.
We are currently looking for an inland location in the North to do some 420 Regional training.
Class Open Training
The Class runs a full programme of open training; this training is lead by our Class Coach Tim Rush and is open to all Class members on a first come, first served basis. Alongside the national open training programme the Class aims to run specific North/South Regional training. Whilst this is aimed at sailors within that specific region and is designed to support sailors in regions and to reduce the amount of travel and reduce cost it is still open and any sailor is welcome to take part.
Open training is run as a two day event. Coach to boat ratio is a minimum of 1 coach per six boats though it will be higher in tricky weather or with more inexperienced boats. We aim to run open training the week before any of our major events at the venue so sailors are able to obtain on site experience and also leave boats at the venue.
Open training dates can be found on the events calendar.
It is expected you will do this in your existing pairing and boat
Coached Racing
There are a number of racing events during the year where the Class offers coaching, this usually is in the form of a briefing in the morning, help with boat set up, between races on the water tips and support, and then a full de-briefThe purpose is to help ease the newer sailors into 420 fleet races. We try and use some coaches that have recently left the Class and gone on to coach others
It is expected you will do this in your existing pairing and boat.
Open Pre-Event Training
The Class works with some specific independent coaches to run specific pre-event training ahead of some larger events, including the RYA Youth Nationals and Class Nationals The purpose of this training is to enable sailors to experience the venue ahead of racing, whilst the conditions are likely to be different the club facilities, launching locations and natural hazards will be the same. This means that sailors have less "unknowns" when they turn up for racing and can concentrate on that. It also enables boats to be left, making travel arrangements easier.
At open pre-event training sailors will be split into smaller groups, there is no single format for doing this;, it will depend on the weekend and what the aims of the training is. Regardless of what group a sailor is placed in all sailors will come together for racing at the end of each day.It is expected you will do this in your existing pairing and boat.
Class Performance Group
Within the Class Training structure, the Class Performance Group is designed to take selected sailors who show the required aptitude, potential and performance, develop and mould them to support the Class endeavour to build world Class sailors.
The Performance Group program encompasses on water, online and Classroom development looking at a skills-based matrix, sailing tactics, race strategy and fleet management as well as partnership communications, international event attendance and behaviour.
The selected sailors train together under the same coach at each session with regular reviews online or in 1-2-1’s , including online sessions. Each session is linked to drive a natural pathway forward whilst maintain look back check points driving towards continuous improvement in all areas of the sport.
The Class Performance Group train at the same location on the same dates as the RYA Youth Squad, the group will consist of 6-8 boats
Applications process will commence in September following RYA Youth squad selection, and assumed you have competed and trained together prior to application
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Other Training
RYA SCOTLAND ACADEMY TRAINING
Run by RYA Scotland and open to Scottish sailors; Details can be found here.
RYA WELSH SQUAD
This squad is run over six weekends by RYA Cymru coach Neil Marsden and is aimed at the Welsh boats. Details can be found here.
RYA YOUTH SQUAD
This squad is run by the RYA and aimed at the top of the fleet. Sailors are selected by the RYA. Details can be found here.
