So your first overseas regatta is just around the corner? To help you better prepare for the trip, here are some tips: 

Learn about the venue 

First place to start is the regatta website. Some regattas will post a venue guide but regardless there will be important details about the exact location and what venue it is (e.g. marina, yacht club, temporary venue). Once you have confirmed the location you can start researching the conditions. Here are some things to consider: 

• Weather (temperature, rainfall, prevailing wind) 

• Geographic features (what is the waterway, are there any key land features) 

• Past events (Regatta reports, consistency/quality of results) 

Though we can’t predict the weather (and often conditions will vary from the norm), a little bit of venue research will go a long way in confidence and better preparation. If your regatta is being held in a hot, dry area with warm water you can probably leave the super warm gear at home but if you are in a cooler and more wet area, pack extra wet weather/ warm gear like a rain jacket.  

In addition to researching the venue, it's also important to research the nearby town. Find out if there's a chandlery or hardware store, where the closest grocery store is, and if the restaurants and cafes look reasonable. Depending on what's available near the regatta, you may want to pack some extra spares. 

Work on your weaknesses 

Take some time, to reflect on your past season (or previous major event). Where do you gain places around the course? Where do you lose them? Do you sail better in light wind compared with heavy wind? Are flat water venues easier to navigate than wavy venues? Do you have great speed but often find yourself on the wrong side of the course? 

Once you have created your list of skills to work on, chat to your coach (or other sailors at your club) for ideas on each point. Look at how you can adjust your current training schedule to prioritise some of these weaknesses. This might mean sailing at a different time of the day to chase certain weather conditions, trying different drills or adding extra sessions.  

Another great resource is the internet! There are so many different books, articles, videos, blogs about all sorts of topics from boat set up tricks to analysing strategy. Spending time “studying” sailing tactics and techniques is a great way to prepare for major events.  

Set learning as your goal  

Your first overseas event is a very exciting milestone at the start of your sailing career! It can be tricky to set a results goal in a fleet you have never raced in before so focus on the execution of your processes and gaining experiences. You have a lifetime of fun ahead of you and each regatta you attend is another opportunity to better your skills and gain valuable experiences. The results will come! 

Big regattas = Big learning opportunities