As newcomers to the Oppie scene – this was all very intriguing – and here’s what we found…….
Hurricane force winds (130-160mph) and power outages threatened the very event itself and a crooked row of power pylons on the webpage said it all. However, by the Friday, the roads were being cleared, power was returning and it was decided by IODAI that just a day’s delay was needed. The “show” would go on. And it did….
Thirteen families from the National Yacht club travelled down to West Cork during the February mid-term break. 21 optimist sailors from the NYC took part in this annual IODAI training event. Registration took place on Sunday afternoon and 19 RIBs were launched, in preparation for the week to come.
Most of the NYC families met and had dinner in Casey’s on the Sunday evening. This gave an opportunity for NYC parents to meet up before the event.
Sailing started Monday – with light winds and fog delay, followed by Sunshine, Tuesday even better – fantastic…. “2 days stolen from summer” was the phrase I remembered and the trip up to the beacon is the picture I shall remember.
There were 10 different fleets all over Baltimore Bay, from “The Squad” through the “Main”, the “Transition” to the “Regatta” fleets. The routines of starting, close manoeuvring, “kiting”, boat handling, followed up by shore theory, quickly fell into place. Everyone was going up the learning curve, starting from different places. Group races integral to the training, with coaches and the international team presiding and cajoling.
What a “well-oiled” organisation it was – with really impressive logistics behind, to make it all work like a military operation – not to mention the stalwarts who clearly took a pride in getting this up and running so efficiently.
Wednesday – the wind was rising and it was wet – but after Tuesday’s Cinema night at Casey’s, no one even noticed and full day’s programme went ahead with enthusiasm continuing to build.
Thursday was wet and windy, with an increase forecast but then in true “fickle fashion” – reduced as soon as the decisions were made. Today, there was no regatta fleet just Main and some Transition with shared boats.
The energy was stored for Thursday’s Disco night – what a night!
Friday – the big Regatta day, when all the skills would be put to test – started with a 1 hour postponement but was then cancelled as the wind performed to forecast, rising to over 30 Knots in the gusts.
Only 6 squad boats took to the water with the International coaches and showed off the hi-end skills of Oppie sailing from the weather shore and bouncy harbour exit. There was no doubt that Oppies can plane after that display!
Dara Donnelly won a price for 3
rd place in the practice regatta that took place on Day 4. Well done Dara!
Stats, info and data for the technically orientated :
19 RIBs (Rescue Boats); 22 volunteers per day, 143 Oppies : Main, Transition and Regatta Fleets
Typical : 1:8 instructor ratio.
Technical terms : Bushes, Jacobs, Casey’s – establishments – well trodden routes, with fun, drink and food at the end of the track
Typical Routine :
Kids, ready rigged by 0930, briefings
On- water by 1000-1030
1230 – Lunch hot soup and rolls
1330 – 1600 more sailing
1630 – hot chocolate and biscuit and de-briefing awaited the hungry sailors
Non-sailors : walks; fitness places (apparently)
Quiz night, Movie-night and disco night – really well organised and great fun, Kids were invited too !
Would we do it again – yes, Deirdre and Eoghan declared it as their best holiday yet and we re-booked before we departed…….
Thanks to all those who encouraged us to go and made the event work so well.
Dave, Helen, Deirdre & Eoghan Turner
As newcomers to the Oppie scene – this was all very intriguing – and here’s what we found…….
Hurricane force winds (130-160mph) and power outages threatened the very event itself and a crooked row of power pylons on the webpage said it all. However, by the Friday, the roads were being cleared, power was returning and it was decided by IODAI that just a day’s delay was needed. The “show” would go on. And it did….
Thirteen families from the National Yacht club travelled down to West Cork during the February mid-term break. 21 optimist sailors from the NYC took part in this annual IODAI training event. Registration took place on Sunday afternoon and 19 RIBs were launched, in preparation for the week to come.
Most of the NYC families met and had dinner in Casey’s on the Sunday evening. This gave an opportunity for NYC parents to meet up before the event.
Sailing started Monday – with light winds and fog delay, followed by Sunshine, Tuesday even better – fantastic…. “2 days stolen from summer” was the phrase I remembered and the trip up to the beacon is the picture I shall remember.
There were 10 different fleets all over Baltimore Bay, from “The Squad” through the “Main”, the “Transition” to the “Regatta” fleets. The routines of starting, close manoeuvring, “kiting”, boat handling, followed up by shore theory, quickly fell into place. Everyone was going up the learning curve, starting from different places. Group races integral to the training, with coaches and the international team presiding and cajoling.
What a “well-oiled” organisation it was – with really impressive logistics behind, to make it all work like a military operation – not to mention the stalwarts who clearly took a pride in getting this up and running so efficiently.
Wednesday – the wind was rising and it was wet – but after Tuesday’s Cinema night at Casey’s, no one even noticed and full day’s programme went ahead with enthusiasm continuing to build.
Thursday was wet and windy, with an increase forecast but then in true “fickle fashion” – reduced as soon as the decisions were made. Today, there was no regatta fleet just Main and some Transition with shared boats.
The energy was stored for Thursday’s Disco night – what a night!
Friday – the big Regatta day, when all the skills would be put to test – started with a 1 hour postponement but was then cancelled as the wind performed to forecast, rising to over 30 Knots in the gusts.
Only 6 squad boats took to the water with the International coaches and showed off the hi-end skills of Oppie sailing from the weather shore and bouncy harbour exit. There was no doubt that Oppies can plane after that display!
Dara Donnelly won a price for 3rd place in the practice regatta that took place on Day 4. Well done Dara!
Stats, info and data for the technically orientated :
19 RIBs (Rescue Boats); 22 volunteers per day, 143 Oppies : Main, Transition and Regatta Fleets
Typical : 1:8 instructor ratio.
Technical terms : Bushes, Jacobs, Casey’s – establishments – well trodden routes, with fun, drink and food at the end of the track
Typical Routine :
Kids, ready rigged by 0930, briefings
On- water by 1000-1030
1230 – Lunch hot soup and rolls
1330 – 1600 more sailing
1630 – hot chocolate and biscuit and de-briefing awaited the hungry sailors
Non-sailors : walks; fitness places (apparently)
Quiz night, Movie-night and disco night – really well organised and great fun, Kids were invited too !
Would we do it again – yes, Deirdre and Eoghan declared it as their best holiday yet and we re-booked before we departed…….
Thanks to all those who encouraged us to go and made the event work so well.
Dave, Helen, Deirdre & Eoghan Turner
