As You Put Your Laser Away for the Season

Lasering takes time, energy and at least a bit of money. At the end of your regatta season, it will pay you large dividends to review your options for next season. Whether you’re considering selling your Laser and getting out, increasing your effort next season or feel you’ve invested the right amount of effort for this time in your life; take the time to review what went well and where you were disappointed.

I’m about to post the first of a couple of articles on making the decisions that will create a better season next year. I want to walk through the process of deciding whether to pursue sailing your Laser for one more year, what training aids to schedule for the off season, how to structure a training plan that will give you satisfaction in next year’s sailing and what equipment you want to budget for.

As the series unfolds, please email me with suggestions about additional topics. I’ll share your comments with other if you let me know it’s ok. Just put my first name before this site’s name. (I’m trying an experiment to stop the hundreds of spam applications for membership to the site. I figure interested sailors will be able to figure out how to contact me and the Robo spammers may move on to easier targets. Right! J)

The first step in prepping for whatever comes next is to make a couple of simple lists:

·         List the approximate individual dates you went sailing this year – the idea is to see when you practiced and when you sailed and approximately when.

o   Do not include races or regattas

o   If you haven’t the slightest idea of the date, then list the date as “Spring” or “Summer”

o   Make a good guess as to the hours on the water for each sailing time. If you’re unsure, list it as 1.5 – this is the maximum time I see most people on the water.

o   Note if you think that you did any drills to build skills, compared to just enjoying the time on the water.

o   (I try to keep a simple log in a notebook during the season. It gives the date, time of day, number of hours on the water, wind speed, drills I practiced for more than 12 repetitions, rig used and any random thoughts)

·         List all the dates and venues for races you entered this season

o   For each, mention the things you remember doing well and the things you felt you did poorly at.

o   Note the approximate wind speed and rig you used

o   Note your finishing placement

·         Survey your Laser for damage, wear or problems.

o   Hull

o   Hardware

o   Spars and foils

o   Sails

o   Dolly and trailer or rack

o    Your clothing and gear – including watches, water bottles, etc.

We will use these lists to create a plan for next season. Watch for part two of this series shortly. Meantime relax and enjoy that you don’t “have” to get dressed to go sailing in the cold, wet weather.

Jay Livingston