Marconi Sailing Club is very active in running events and supporting the development of our younger members through cadet sailing. Cadets from the club race at weekends in their own class, have their own building on the site and once a year gather for the famous cadet week.
Cadet Week
Every year up to 100 cadets spend the week honing sailing skills – the weather is of course always fantastic, allowing loads of time on the water! The organisers, putting safety first, however, are always keen to ensure that inexperienced youngsters aren’t thrown into conditions they can’t handle.
Aimed primarily at ages 8 – 18 (although this can be flexible!) Cadet Week always starts with capsize drill and takes youngsters of all abilities through a week of training aimed at lifting confidence on the water and improving sailing skills… as well as having fun! Cadets are divided into different levels (Beginner, Junior, Intermediate and Senior… as well as Senior Service for those of less tender years) and each group follows a syllabus appropriate to their experience.
As Cadets progress beyond these groups, many generously choose to return year after year and join the large number of ‘tutors’ who help make the week such a success.
Cadet week is only open to club members, so if you want to attend please complete membership forms to join.
Cadet Regatta
A chance to show off the skills learnt in Cadet week. Cadets from all the local clubs are invited. There is a prize for the overall winner and for the team and the visiting club with the best results.
Club Racing
In addition Cadets can join in the regular club racing on Sundays with their own class start, we are always happy to welcome all types of boat. Most importantly, the Cadets at Marconi Sailing Club have a lot of fun “messing about in boats”.
Sail Training
A number of weekends throughout the season are chosen as sail training days for any Cadets who’d like to join in. Activities are weather-dependent, but usually include some thinking about a particular aspect of sailing, some on the water practice, maybe some short races… and typically a lot of noise and getting wet.