Eduard Rodes
Barcelona
international coach
high performance sailing
Coaching sailors
Basically there are two different scenarios: training and regatta. Let's start with the last one.
Regatta
The first thing I always do with my sailors is a thorough check of the boat: hull finish, sails, foils, fixing and running equipment, alignment, symmetry... to correct whatever is wrong. Let's go to sea; the boat must always be in perfect condition, and especially for the high competition!
DBack to the harbour after competing
Before each race I analyze the navigation conditions on the ground. Current, wind, gusts, shiftss and their rhythms. With this information I go to my sailors and help them to prepare the strategy. I then sail after them upwind to give the boat the final triming. Twist and coordination of the leeches, etc.
At the end of each test we meet again. While they eat and drink to regain strength for the next test, we analyze together the details of the previous one and I help them to prepare the strategy for the next one. Shortly before the warning signal I sail again after them to give the last adjustments of trimage.
Training
When I train with sailors for the first time and I don't know their skills, we start with a sailing test to analyze their level and their physical conditions. I want to see how they do the maneuvers and their movements on board, their way of taking starts, how they face the lay lines. In this way I can make a diagnosis about things to improve and/or correct. Then I prepare a personalized work plan for each of them combining their needs, their desires and the time we have.
Logically, as I am a highly technical coach, I perform at my best in small groups. In large groups it is simply impossible for me to give the personalized attention that I can give to each sailor and that makes their learning fast and based on solid foundations.
Manoeuvers and boat controll one of the keys for success.
Training sessions in the water are never too long. If we only do one session, we are in the water for approximately 3 hours of effective work; if there are two sessions, no more than 2 hours each. This is because the learning capacity of students is often depleted much sooner than people may think. We practice starts, mark roundings, tacks, gybes, 360º, short races etc. At the end of the day, already on land, we analyze the navigation videos I made and compare with videos of other sailors.
Time to rest and recharge batteries. Training sessions should never be too long or overlook the needs of the trainees. Training too much can be even worse than not training enough.
Logically, I teach my students the key points of what they have to do on board: "what, how, when", but I especially want them to understand the most important one: "why". The better they understand that point, the better others will do and the better results they will get.
I always tell them "Sailing is not a religion; it is not believing, but knowing and understanding". What I intend to do is help my sailors to be independent. They must learn to do right things and make right decisions for themselves. A regatta coach should only provide support and information. The sailors must be the sole authors of their results!
Coaching coaches Español / English
There are many coaches who are able to teach beginners, but things get complicated when the level of the sailors increases and they need high technology. Many instructors simply pass on what they remember from their days as a sailor, but things may have changed a lot since then.
Sailing is a constantly changing science, especially in recent times. Techniques and theories that not long ago would have been considered heresy have now replaced some that were believed to be the absolute truth. To remain competitive, coaches must continually update their knowledge. Unfortunately, many of them simply forget that important point...or don't know how to do it.
Due to my frequent contacts with sailors of the highest level, even Olympic, and my friendship with great designers such as Julian Bethwaite and Mariusz Juszczak, I am fantastically lucky to be able to learn new concepts and technical solutions as soon as they appear.
Working with some coaches in Poland
Frequently, some clubs or federations ask me to work with their coaches. I have shared my experience and knowledge with professionals from Russia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Spain... No problem, I enjoy doing it :-)
How can it be done?
First of all, a good coach must know the class in which he trains perfectly (rigging and batten tensions, mast rakes and heel tuning, trimming, rig tuning, etc.). Also, deep knowledge of the physical reasons for the things we teach our sailorsis important. Also know how to adapt the maneuvers to the conditions and the morphology of the sailors.
A coach should have a deep knowledge of the stuff, to be able to measure masts and foils and help sailors choose the right things for them. If necessary, we also work with this.
It is important that a good coach is aware of the new concepts, materials and techniques that arise as a result of the latest research. For example, concepts like "design wind", the Fowler effect, apparent winds in the different sails and their different parts, speed polars, trims, sail theory...
Match Racing Technique; not everything is speed!!
As I said before, I always teach my sailors the key points. "What, how, when"... but especially the "why". When I prepare coaches the "why" is always the subject that we spend the most time on. I show them graphs and formulas that will help them a lot when they have to explain things to their sailors.
The best way to prepare a coach is when it coincides with a sailors training session. Sessions in the water and in the classroom together with them, and some exclusively for the coaches, since I prefer to keep my sailors minds free of diagrams, drawings, vectors, equations, etc. They are useful for trainers, but can be confusing and even boring for others.
Muriel Schröder and Lea Einbrodt (GER) practicing dry tacks