Youth Development in Doublehanded Sailing - Seahorse September 2023

Written by Kate Cope

Now and again, I hear the criticism that the doublehanded format is providing less opportunities for youngsters to enter or progress in offshore sailing. As my UK experience is the exact opposite of this, I thought I would share what was working with the hope that it can inspire other countries to copy one of the UK initiatives.

When we set up the UK Doublehanded Offshore Series in 2021, we had as one of our early goals to create pathways for young adults, typically aged in their early twenties, transitioning from the dinghy classes to bigger boat racing. At a very simple level just announcing the intention and creating a single point of contact for skippers and youngsters already got the ball rolling. Whilst I knew there was opportunities, I surprised myself just how many doublehanded skippers are looking for co-skippers to allow them to add more offshore races to their programmes or cover the inevitable gaps when co-skippers have other commitments. We also have a growth in the number of boats with new skippers entering the scene in new boats all needing partners. Experience has not really been a barrier, we have a range of offshore race lengths and many short-handed sailors are, in a worst-case scenario, comfortable in sailing single handed allowing youngsters to get aboard, bring the skills they have and learn the rest as they train and race.

Our crew match initiative gained momentum and every month more matches are made. We considered online, however we elected to keep the personal touch. Skippers are looking for different skills and experience in their co-skippers to create a diverse partnership and being actively involved allows better matching. In 2022 24% of sailors in the UK Doublehanded Offshore series were 25 years old or under. This past weekend we had matched four youngsters for racing and my favorite feedback was from one who told me they had learnt more in three months of doublehanded sailing than three years of sailing fully crewed. They love the chance to try out all the roles onboard particularly the more exclusive ones like helm, nav and tactics.

We have partnered with the Gentoo Sailing Team Youth Development Programme as many of their youngsters are also interested in shorthanded sailing.  Set up by James Harayda and linked to his IMOCA 60 Vendee Globe campaign, the Gentoo Youth Programme is an initiative to support and inspire the next generation of sailors and sailing community leaders who will continue their passion for the sport far into the future, ultimately growing the sport of offshore sailing. The youth team have access to coaching, offshore racing experience, internship opportunities, IMOCA 60 work, and access to networking within the industry in order to achieve their unique ambitions. For offshore racing they have the use of a Farr X2 generously supported by Sea Ventures Race Yachts.

Another Initiative which is developing offshore talent is ‘Young Tigris’ led by Gavin Howe. Gavin has set up his classic Chanel 32 Wavetrain and invites a different youth mixed pairing to take part in each offshore race, combined with practical and theory training to prepare them.  For many it’s their first race offshore. Amy Hinsliff-Smith who recently raced RORC Myth of Malham sums up the experience  ‘As my first offshore race, going double handed with Charlie was incredibly daunting but we made sure we were as prepared as possible and used the training day to our full advantage. It was an unreal experience to race with so many highly skilled teams in a variety of weather conditions and has really made me excited to race more offshore’. Charlie Muldoon adds ‘This MoM was truly an unforgettable experience, it provided the perfect platform for learning double-handed manoeuvres, and attempting to improve my offshore tactical decision making. I owe immense gratitude to Gavin for running this incredible program, opening up the world of double-handed offshore racing for young sailors like us; all aboard the beautiful classic Wavetrain’

The RORC are also contributing to the opportunities having partnered with Marina Militare Nastro Rosa to provide young sailors with a free Figaro 3 to take part in the various doublehanded tours, Euro and World championships around Italy.

Finally, back in March’23 the UK DH series crew matched Conor Corson (27) with Elin Jones (20) after the owner was unable to sail the Azores and Back race due to other commitments. Racing on Asgard, a Sunfast 3300, Conor and Elin have just become the youngest winners ever in the race winning Leg one IRC Class 2 from Falmouth to Ponta Delgado and 2nd in IRC Overall.  So, watch out, these youngsters are not just taking part in offshore races but winning them as well!