Scorpion project inspires next generation
An innovative Scorpion class project supported by RYA Coaching Development has created opportunities for younger sailors to develop transferable technical and racing skills.
The Scorpion 1929 Project started with renovating a 34-year-old wooden boat and has since given youth sailors an opportunity to race in the class while also benefiting from coaching.
A key aim for 2024 was to get the boat with a young helm to the front of the 76-strong national championship fleet in Weymouth, which saw 19-year-old Joe Warwicker crewed by former nationals winner Andy Service taking a podium spot with an impressive third overall.
Scorpion 1929 Project leader Nick Lightbody, who coordinated the preparation and training, involved Joe in the practical boat work and decision-making on rig set up throughout. Demonstrating the value of the experience in creating transferable skills, Joe then took his learning to the Snipe Eurocup where he claimed fourth and the national title.
As Nick explains: “An important part of my approach to coaching is to also teach and explore the fundamentals of boat speed, including the basic physics, maximising useable energy and reducing energy loss. So it's about developing an understanding of what makes sailing boats perform well, and developing skills which the sailor can apply in every type of boat they sail.”
Boat work
Scorpion 1929 was refitted two years ago using mainly previously enjoyed fittings found on eBay, then had a complete hull restoration in 2023 with Kevin Gosling, 33 years after he first built her for Graeme Bristow.
Following its re-launch in 2023, the idea emerged to offer its use to younger sailors who might appreciate the chance to race an ‘old’ but well prepared Scorpion, which saw a number of youth sailors taking it out at open meetings.
The next stage was to get a young racer to the front of a nationals fleet and further rig and hull development included support from Selden, Cyclops Marine, Mark Rushall (pictured), Tony Wetherell, Andy Davis of HD Sails and Rob Henderson of Marlow Ropes.
Attention then turned to boat tuning and training in preparation for the 2024 championship.
Time on the water
Joe and Andy completed five 5-day blocks of sea sailing from Shoreham SC on the south coast: working on boat set up and speed, coached by Nick and meeting legends like Phil Morrison and Jon Turner along the way, and using Vakaros technology on the boat to sail it flatter and faster.
Joe, a student at Greenwich University, said: “It taught me about the rig and the physics of sailing, and it was all completely new to me. Although youth squads cover the basics of boat set up, it’s never really the detailed why and what you’re looking for to make you go faster. You never fully get the understanding of what the numbers actually mean. The Scorpion Project has taken my sailing to a whole new level.”
This knowledge became evident at the Scorpion nationals, with small adjustments to boat set-up whenever the team felt slow or unable to hold a lane enabling them to boost their boat speed in different conditions to get through the fleet and back in the game when necessary.
Joe attributes his subsequent fourth overall and national title with a different crew at the Snipe Eurocup directly to the transferable knowledge he gained from the Scorpion Project, having finished with a mid-fleet result at the Snipe Junior Worlds the preceding January.
“This time around I knew if something didn’t look or feel right, what to change and how to change it,” explains Joe. “Thanks to the Scorpion Project, I feel like I’ve managed to learn what other sailors learn over many years of racing and experimenting.”
Nick now hopes to continue the Scorpion 1929 Project ethos: working with other classes and through Joe sharing his knowledge going forward in his own sailing or coaching.
He summed up: “It’s a holistic approach. It’s about trying to do something that transfers a whole range of skills to help young sailors really achieve things, so they can then help other people in turn. We’d be happy to share what we’ve learned with other people who may find it interesting – we’re trying to make it a project that grows.”
Coaching support
RYA support included providing coach developers to give Nick and the team suggestions from an outside perspective, and practical help such as RIB time for training.
David Mellor, RYA Coaching Development Manager, said: “The project has created an experience where you’re really adding value with the mindset of rolling up your sleeves to do boat work, learning transferable skills and problem solving – that ability to think about how to set up a boat rather than just implement the numbers.
“If we can replicate it then we’re creating a more accessible sport because projects like this could be really powerful in terms of giving more sailors the opportunity to gain this knowledge.
“We’re keen to work with in partnership with class associations and clubs to support their activities and would like to hear from others who may also have initiatives they’d like to explore.”
Contact the Scorpion 1929 Project or find out more about RYA Coaching Development.
Pictures: Scorpion Nationals 2024 © Lee Whitehead photolounge.co.uk
Picture: Mark Rushall © 2023 Nick Lightbody