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Broadening the Appeal of 420 Youth Sailing: Is it time for a new class? 
By Jim Myers, of Intensity Sails

Is it time for a new class?

The club 420 has been a very successful boat for young sailors in junior programs, all the way to collegiate sailors. There are those, however, who think the boat has too narrow a weight range for her sailors. What do you think?

The interesting thing is that this boat in most cases is not the same thing as the original International 420. The Club 420 was modified to be more robust to handle the rigors of sailing programs and institutions.

The Laser, for example, has gone through similar changes, though not in the hull. The addition of the Radial, 4.7 & now the Rooster 8.1 rigs have broadened the appeal and utility of the boat.
 
It is time to synthesize the two methods. This past winter I was approached by Roland Van der Meer of the Edgartown & St. Francis yacht clubs to develop a Reduced Area Design, RAD, main sail for the 420. We have all seen the Opti sailers at 12-14 that are not quite ready to hold down a 420 but for any number of reasons they are ready to be out of the Opti. With the RAD sail they not only can make the transition with a more appropriate sail area for their size but if neighboring clubs each have RAD sails they can even compete on a level playing field.

Can the the 420 take some cues from the laser? We do not have to live in a one size fits all world. We own equipment that can inexpensively work for a broader audience and keep more kids in sailing at the age when they are drawn to other sports and activities. Can we really afford not to give this a try?

The 420 RAD Main sail is $199.99 ready to sail at www.intensitysails.com.
 

Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 3:00pm eastern time on ESPNU

For the fifth year ESPNU’s presentation of college sailing features the top young sailors competing for this trophy that dates back to 1937. Onboard cameras and microphones highlight the action of 123 sailors from the most competitive 18 schools in the nation. On the final day of racing the two front runners, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Yale University, were separated by just seven points with only eight races left to sail. After several lead changes St. Mary’s College prevailed in dramatic fashion. All 36 races took place off the St. Francis Yacht Club in brisk winds.

Among the spectators was sailing champion Paul Cayard who talks about all aspects of the sport with host Gary Jobson. This one hour program is schedule to air on ESPNU on Saturday, June 20 at 3:00pm eastern time.

Reairs:

Wednesday, July 1 at 3:00am
Thursday, July 2 at 7:00pm
Friday, July 3 at 2:00pm
Friday, July 3 at 8:00pm
Thursday, July 9 at 7:00pm
Friday, July 10 at 3:00am

*all times eastern

Reprinted with thanks to and permission from SCUTTLEBUTT. Full text of article is here:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/06/youth-coaching.html

It would be hard to imagine competing in a regatta and winning 7 out of 12
races… particularly a major championship. It would even harder to imagine
having that score line and not winning the event too. However, that was how
the U.S. Optimist Team Trials went for Bradley Adam, finishing 8th in an event
used to qualify which Optimist sailors would be sent to major events around
the world during the current season.

Inconsistency plagued his event (5-1-1-26-1-30-1-1-25-1-40-1), but Bradley
receives high marks for improving from 43rd the year before. As Bradley notes,
“My Dad runs a bunch of Opti clinics throughout the year and he has provided
much of my coaching since day one. We started sailing each weekend from the
first weekend in March through team trials. It is a small group of 8-10
sailors who are really good and help push one another to the limits. Sometimes
my sister Grace and I would go sailing after school without a coach for a few
hours. I go to a lot of Opti regattas without a coach and this helps in our
preparation. Neither Grace or I had a coach at Team Trials.”

While it was revealing to learn that Bradley did not have a coach at the Team
Trials, it was even more revealing to learn what some of the coaches were
doing. When asked about what happened in some of the races he didn’t win,
Bradley remarked, “Wind Shifts!!! I was on the wrong side of them. I found it
a little bit discouraging that some kids had coaches upwind and radioed back
to the starting line what the breeze was doing at the windward mark.”

What…coaches at the top of the course providing weather information?
Scuttlebutt eagerly awaits comments as to the prevalence of this practice at
the youth level, AND if anything is being done to manage it. Post comments
here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/06/youth-coaching.html

Zim Sailing Enters as New Competition in the Small One-Design Sailboat Market

 

 

WARREN, RI – June 3, 2009 – Zim Sailing emerges as the country’s third independent full-service small one-design sailboat manufacturer, specializing in production of Optimist and Club 420 dinghies.  Unique from its competitors, Zim’s focus is to provide the best value for the customer with an emphasis on supporting the development of grassroots youth sailing.

 

“For many youth sailors and their parents, the lack of quality and affordability in the small one-design sailboat market has served as the most significant factor decreasing participation in the sport,” said Steve Perry, Founder and President of Zim Sailing.

 

Perry, an operations veteran with mass production experience, brings over 20 years of boatbuilding experience to his new role. Perry, a Canadian native, previously served as Vice President of Operations at Vanguard Sailboats and began his career building Tornado catamarans at Sailcraft of Canada.

 

“We’re excited to share our commitment to provide the highest quality products to the small sailboat market at the best value for the end consumer,” said Perry. “Our goal is to deliver unparalleled competitive advantage to youth sailors by providing technological know-how and quality construction at an unmatched price.”

 

About Zim Sailing

Zim Sailing, based in Rhode Island, provides one-design sailboats, accessories, and services to the North American market. To learn more, visit www.zimsailing.com.

CONTACT:

Bobby Martin

Zim Sailing

609-220-1165

bobbymartin@zimsailing.com

 

Gecko Marine, LLC

84 Cutler St Suite 14

Warren, RI 02885