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Henry Weatherall + Jon + Fergus – Roman = Finn Training Camp No 2 @ WPNSA (17 & 18 December 2022)
Finn sailors well know not everything goes to plan all of the time, but we always do prevail. Fortunately, Roman has since recovered from Covid that put him out of the weekend. Fergus and Jon trained with Henry Rockstar on both days but not without more challenge. Jon’s halyard broke before launching on Saturday and being the Finnster Roman is, he lent his mast to Jon who then joined Fergus on the water. Sunday looked doubtful due an incoming 50 plus knot south westerly and we hoped it would not curtail our weekend together.
Henry always makes an early start, making the most his valuable time over a long day. The wind was light on Saturday and good for matching up and downhill. Fergus had the edge and we observed he is nimble and quick, swiftly hopping from standing to standing under the boom in a gybe. We sailed home into colourful painted sunset – it was amazing.
We had a training plan which was formed as usual amongst us a few days before arriving, and then we briefed before heading out for the conditions of the day. Fergus had a particular request which we played out on the water on both days – and Henry jumped into Jon’s boat on the Saturday to expertly show us how. We then played the same game, and manoeuvres and trimming on Sunday in a true Finn breeze. The counterpointing of a lighter versus a heavier sailor matching in light and heavy conditions proved insightful learning for us both. We both have valuable great takeaways from this.
The updated forecast on Sunday morning allowed us two hours of training on the water before the wind went over 30 knots. It was spectacular sailing with full on muscle effort and body kinetics, and expertly trimmed sails and rig settings – and minds fresh and really up for it. This was done under another sky painting, this time in dramatic dark and stormy rendering which added to the thrill. We really were greeted by the Gods over the weekend.
The buzz at WPNSA is also inspiring with other classes training over the weekend as well. The speed of the 49ers and kite surfers was amazing in Sunday’s big breeze. And we were accompanied home by Dolphins – a beautiful and heart touching experience. They are so playful alongside fast reaching Finns and the trailing RIB.
Our debriefing on Saturday concluded over a splendid curry and then the weekend roundup on Sunday in the café after packing up and loading boats. There was a lot of rain to wash them down while doing so !
Videos and photos taken by Henry from the RIB perfectly demonstrated the points he coached us on – before, during and after. This is really effective training as we see it through Henry’s eyes and the succinct and helpful words from Henry afterwards in the debriefing and roundup magically sink in.
Finnsters say they sometimes hear the greats talking to them on the water from the books they read. If you are fortunate to join a training day or weekend with Henry Weatherall, it is likely his soft and encouraging voice and words will stay with you, vividly embedded by the immersive experience on the water and from the takeaway videos and photos that can picture in your mind.
A few quotes from the weekend…
“…and it was cold. That said, we has some super sailing and with the right gear it was fine. Glad I didn’t fall in though !”
“See how he spritely hops across the boat!”
“Fergus points higher in the breeze” “Jon dished out this roll over…” “See where you both next cross”
“Fergus, you’re from Glasgow, right ? – so, you will have seen Still Game and visited Craiglang?” Lols
“I’ll be dreaming of Dolphins”
“Goals are achieved by incremental gains!” “He truly is a Rockstar”
”Let us look then into our diaries and see how we align for training weekends in 2023”
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