February e-newsletter 2012
It’s the perfect time to get ready for the 2012 sailing season
It’s a good time to think about what you want from your sailing in 2012. Perhaps you’re new to the sailing club or just getting back to sailing after the Winter break. So how about starting the season off by brushing up on skills? ‘Winter Dehibernation lessons’ are a perfect way to kick start the season. Maybe ‘rig a boat properly’, ‘improve your tacking technique’, ‘sailing upwind’, or ‘launching and returning ashore safely’, all important to help build up your sailing confidence. There are land based lessons too; a little local knowledge goes a long way, so we can help with local weather, tides and the all important Chichester Harbour conditions. Not just where to look but how to interpret and make best use of the information.
To make life easy, the Melvyn Cooper Sailing web site has a daily updated calendar, so booking in during 2012 couldn’t be more simple. You can find it here along with lots of great information, videos and images; www.melvyncoopersailing.com If you prefer to chat, just call 01243 370884.
Over the last 2 years, children, young adults, families, men, women, classes and groups have enjoyed a new level of sailing confidence through many different lessons. And this is what some have said; Louise Wright wanted lessons to develop her sailing skills at the start of the sailing season and she says “Melvyn has finally given me the confidence not only to sail on my own but to have the self-assurance that I can enjoy sailing with the family.” Wayne Roger’s children love the lessons. He says, “Melvyn has coached our two children for 2 years. Melvyn’s approach and structure for the courses have really helped them attain a very good racing standard in both local regattas and the RS Tera national championship. They love the lessons!”
The coaching season starts on March 10th 2012 and I can’t wait! Don’t forget Easter school holidays are early this year and with the Olympics and a special Queens Jubilee weekend all planned in 2012; this year should be a special one.
Autumn e-newsletter 2011
As the school holidays are over I thought it might be a good time to think about some September and October sailing. Both these months can bring lovely warm sailing days and are perfect for a lesson or two.
Taking one-2-one sailing lessons this autumn will enable you to consolidate the skills you’ve gained this season. This will also provide an excellent basis for you to learn new skills and techniques and give you confidence to further improve your sailing on the water at the beginning of the 2012 season.
I can help you with an ‘autumn consolidation session’ to boost your helming or crewing skills. Specific coaching subjects include how to set your sail to the correct point of sailing, where the wind is coming from and the five essentials focusing on sailing the boat accurately.
Kate Allen wrote “I booked some sailing sessions with Melvyn Cooper over the autumn of 2010. I had spent most of that summer sitting on the beach thinking I am more than capable of getting out on the water. The time spent with Melvyn was the jolt and the springboard I needed to start this year’s sailing season. I learnt a lot of new skills including knowledge of the harbour which is crucial and most importantly gained loads of confidence to get out on the water with friends and family”
Other subjects that proved popular this year have been racing skills such as starting a race, close – hauled, mark rounding, racing rules and teamwork in the boat for the helm and crew.
Simon Waite wrote; “You'll be pleased to know that Ronnie has taken your advice and race training on board and racing today took a 1st and 2nd place as well as second overall in the August series”
This year the October half term school holidays are 17th - 30th October 2011. Hopefully the weather will be kind enough to encourage the children out on the water later than normal.
To find out about my availability for coaching please check out Melvyn’s calendar on my website www.melvyncoopersailing.com
It’s updated everyday so you can instantly find a date to suit you and I’m around mid week as well as weekends. You are very welcome to email me and forward book any dates for the autumn.
If you are already a Google calendar user, just add my email address to ‘other calendars’.
I look forward to coaching you again or maybe welcoming you for the first time. Perhaps I could tempt you out in a boat a little later than you would normally sail at this time of the year.
Summer e-newsletter 2011
The purpose of this email is to update you about my coaching in 2011. New for this year I have introduced ‘Melvyn’s calendar’ on my website which has proved very popular.
You can now view my availability on an easy to read calendar.
Melvyn’s calendar - https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=melvyncoops@googlemail.com&ctz=Europe/London&gsessionid=OK
There are still a few days available to book in August and the month of September can be a lovely month to sail, even up to the end of October.
Evening 2 hour sessions this summer are available if you need coaching with your skills and techniques on the water.
New for MCS in 2011 is coaching single-handed boats from my RIB for classes such as RS Tera, Optimist and Solo. Please get in touch for further information on this coaching service.
Melvyn Cooper Sailing has helped sailors gain lots of confidence on the water this year. If you are thinking about improving your helming or crewing skills then please watch my sail with confidence video on my website. www.melvyncoopersailing.com
Richard Gill booked a day to help gain more helming confidence
‘A session with Melvyn helped me to regain confidence in sailing, and iron out bad habits. The advice and assistance in fine tuning the boat helped the performance. He was extremely patient, understanding and tolerant. I am looking forward to my next lesson. Richard Gill
Douglas & Helen Dunlop booked multiple family coaching sessions in their Wayfarer
Your patience with the kids was superb, especially given the damp weather. They all want to come sailing again, which is the result I was looking for and Helen wants to book your coaching services for the start of next year - the kids are still 'discussing' as to which bit of the boat the wind blows from on a broad reach and run! D & H
Graham Croft booked boat Dehibernation and sailing lessons for his RS 200
Melvyn's method of instruction is gentle, measured and calm. The words he uses are concise, precise and relevant. All in all a most enjoyable day, my boat looks good again too and I know more about her. I am booked for another day in the summer. Graham Croft RS 200
If you would like to gain confidence on the water and enjoy sailing this summer then please feel free to chat on the phone or email me to discuss where you wish to take your sailing forward in 2011.