The RS Aero Youth and Adult training season 2025/26 started last week, the first one was at Felpham SC on the UK south coast.

We ended up shore based both days because of the conditions for launching, but nevertheless, thanks to our two coaches Sammy Isaacs-Johnson and George Cousins, a great training group and super facilities, it was a brilliant weekend.

Training weekends like this remind me of the master classes I used to do many years ago when I was a classical musician (guitar), where ‘ah ha’ moments would have major shifts on my playing. I had a couple of those ‘ah has’ this weekend.

The things I’ve taken away include:

• Better understanding how wind, mast, sail and sail controls work together on the Aero.
• Upwind; chase speed to keep the foils working, don’t ever stall. Feels ironic that trying to point high is mostly likely costing me height. Speed first, then height.
• Not to overthink outhaul and batten tension, they’re not the low hanging fruits.
• Tighten my kicker setup, it’s too loose right now and max off is too high.
• Fuel myself better for races and events.
• Better understanding of what good tacks and gybes look like, with some videos to study.

I can’t wait to get back in the boat again to try things out.

Felpham SC folks are used to the onshore conditions and a small fleet still raced on the Sunday. I didn’t envy them getting out, and would have feared for my RS Aero, but I sure envied them for the wind and waves once out, which looked awesome.

See some better pics and videos of launch and recovery at Felpham SC in 2024, and do check out the RS Aero 2025/26 training program. I can highly recommend it.