It's a busy month ahead for WA Sailing Squad members with overseas regattas, camps closer to home, regular squad training sessions, a fun run and a night of accolades.

This last weekend many of the WASS squad members including coaches Denis and Ben took part in the HBF Run for a Reason. A great community event that promotes fitness and raises money for Cancer Council. Well done to all who took part and had a crack! Thanks to the WA 29er Association and Denis for supporting some additional training and organisation.

A large group of sailors have been sailing the high seas internationally and mixing it amongst the worlds best. Lachy Gilham’s been in Athens competing in the European Finn Championships with 82 other boats. Almost 100 boats on a single start line, WOW! A tough week of competition for Lachy against the best Finn sailors in the World. He finished mid field and is grateful for the lessons he has learnt by sailing in such a large fleet. “90 boats and one fleet so it’s tough. It was a super brutal regatta, but I’m happy with the result.” Gilham said.

Caitlin Shaw brings home bronze from Japan after steep learning curve in light air sailing. She was involved in the Youth Exchange Program with the Australian Sailing Youth Team. Over 160 boats, across two fleets of Lasers and 420’s flocked to the Japanese Youth World Selection Trials. Caitlin and the team spent 10 days in Karatsu, about an hour south of Fukuoka. The regatta was dominated by light winds which was great practice for the Australian contingent. Caitlin showed great focus to improve her light air skills, moving through the fleet as the regatta progressed. An awesome result. It wasn’t all sailing though with other highlights of experiencing a baseball game in Fukuoka and eating the traditional Japanese food! Congratulations to both sailors.

A fortnight ago at RFBYC, WASS undertook the Girls to the Front Camp initiative. 20 young girls from around Perth’s sailing clubs came together for a weekend of fun and learning on and off the water. Aimed to provide a positive sailing pathway vision and experience for young girls whilst giving them the chance to try out the Youth Classes with some expert coaching on hand.

Nacra 15’s, 29er’s, 420’s and Lasers were on hand for the girls to experience. The camp was led by a group of WA’s best female coaches and sailors including Belinda Stowell, Shelley White, Chelsea Hall, Ella Clark and Hayley Clark. Rio Olympian Carrie Smith also came down to share some stories with the girls on Sunday morning.

Other activities included some fitness with our WASS Strength and Conditioning Coach Brock Fleau as well as Mother’s Day SUP Boarding with Belinda and Chelsea! It was a fantastic weekend and WASS wants to thank our supporters who made the camp possible.

Thank you to RFBYC, SoPYC and FSC for supporting the coaching efforts, Chobani for providing us with yummy healthy yogurts each morning and Australian Sailing WA office for their funding support of the weekend.

Stay tuned through July and August as we gear up for some World Championship racing. Several sailors will be gearing up for World Championships;

- Richard Maher is at the Laser Full Rig European Championships in Porto this week.
- Kieran Bucktin and Axel Fleet will be heading to Gydnia, Poland for the 29er World Titles.
- Michael, Stefan and Caitlin will be heading to the Laser Radial Youth World Championships and several sailors will be heading to 4.7 World Championships, both in Kingston, Canada.

The Squad will be moving in Winter Training mode with the WASS Winter Camp planned for 7-8 July with mid-week sessions moved to weekends to make the most of the ailing light.

Written by Warren Erasmus; Australian Sailing - Weekend West - Around the Buoys Column.