From Chimp to Champ...

30th Jun 2008 @ 08:37:10 PM

sSs Team Rider, Carl Tomlinson, just got back from a Jem Hall Coaching week in Prasonisi. The title is his, and here's what he has to say...

''Many windsurfers are content with their “windsurfing lot”, but others want to spice it up with the challenge of learning some new moves, better technique, etc, etc. There can be many reasons to take a week of your valuable time and hard earned cash to be coached, but they’ll likely fall into a number of categories
• Stuck in a rut and want to improve all round sailing
• Want to forward loop
• Want to break a new trick or move
• First time in waves
• Haven’t sailed for ages and want to get confidence back

From Chimp to Champ, a coachees perspective on a week away on a Jem Hall performance boost.

So who goes on a performance boost with Jem? The answer is all sorts of people from all walks of life, Electricians, Carpenters, Hairdressers, Vets, Teachers, Retired, Students. Ages on my latest trip to Prassonissi for the advanced course ranged from 14 to 59.

Connor Bainbridge a fellow Seasprite Team Rider was youngest at 14, he wanted to crack spocks and forwards…and he did!.

Clive Boden at 59 had already learned to loop a couple of years ago. For others the first experience in waves was made an exciting rather than intimidating experience. This was in part due to the prep' work with Jem and secondly the team spirit and encouragement from the other sailors on the trip.

Rhodes is not called reliable Rhodes for nothing, the wind blows just about every day enough to get a freestyle board planning with 5.5/5.8m sail. The winds are lighter in the morning and just after lunch so light wind helicopter tacks and wymaroo practice is combined with jumping tricks and carving manoeuvres when the wind kicks in.

Many coachees don’t appreciate the benefits of the lightwind coaching and practice until they try their first loop, vulcan, spock or carve gybe. However by the end of the trip everyone appreciates Jems insistence of discipline in the non planning basics. Getting the basics right means the first loop will be a confident and painless experience rather than the painful self taught crash & bash I went through all those years ago!!! All the other moves become polished and easier, meaning you enjoy more time on the water using less energy and getting less tired.

Kit on hire is JP/Pryde, but you can also take your own. Jem brings so much of the latest Ezzy/RRD kit that you can happily spend a few hours seeing for yourself just how much better the RRD/Ezzy combination is!!

Most people stay at the lighthouse which is a family run restaurant and “pension”. The rooms are basic, but comfortable and clean. The video feedback each evening combined with an excellent meal and drinks caps off each days sailing with lots to think about. Jem is an excellent Master of Ceromonies and the week passes far too quickly''

Carl is also sponsored by Aloha Sailboards in Cheshire

were chimps and now are champs

lighthouse hotel and restaurant

hire centre

Carl

view from hire centre

Carl

Red Rhodes

Carl