Nationals 2022
Welcome to the home of the IOCA (UK) Optimist British Nationals & Open Championships 2022. Here you'll find all the updates from the event organisers and links to useful documents and the official notice board.
Many thanks to our lead sponsors Savills and Gill for lead sponsoring this event, and to all our sponsors for supporting the class, including Xtremity, Kylemark, Largs Chandlers, Crewsaver, Largs Yacht Haven, Marlow Ropes, Fernhurst Books, Pinbax and Tunnocks.
If you have any queries about the event in general, please contact the Event Coordinator, Diana Davidson at nationals@optimist.org.uk
Useful Links
- Official Noticeboard: Results, Notices, Protests, etc.
- Largs Sailing Club: site layout, local information
- Site Map
- Volunteer: Safety fleet signup | Volunteer signup
- Parent RIB registration
- Purchase a Hoodie
- Measurement FAQ
- Telegram Groups: https://ioca.uk/broadcast and https://ioca.uk/queries
- Next event: Late Summer Championships at Brightlingsea is open for entries
Latest News
** Save the Date ** for the 2023 Nationals
The 2023 IOCA(UK) Optimist British Nationals & Open Championships will take place from 5th - 11th August at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.
Don't forget you can purchase professional photographs of all the competitors in this year's event from Paul's web portal
** New 28 July 2022 - Update 4 **
Jellyfish
We’re expecting to find jellyfish in the sea off Largs at this time of year and thought it would be sensible to provide some up-to-date information to sailors and their parents. The NHS website provides useful advice on how to avoid getting stung and what to do if you are stung by a jellyfish. While the RNLI magazine includes a colourful article about the jellyfish and other potential hazards, including what to do if you come face to face with a shark...
Telegram Groups
- Join the Telegram broadcast group for important announcements made throughout the event at https://ioca.uk/broadcast
- There's also a Queries group questions. The speed of answers may vary and may be sent via the broadcast group. Please use this facility as sparingly as possible and certainly not for chat or it will lose its effectiveness. https://ioca.uk/queries
Site Map
A colour site map show the locations of each fleet, the event marquee and race office.
Changing Rooms
Please do not leave any kit in the changing rooms. It should be taken back to vehicles or
accommodation during the day.
Campervans booked in at the Marina
- On arrival , go past the LSC clubhouse and at the barrier press the intercom. It will be manned 24/7
so it’s not a problem if you arriving late. - Please report at the marina reception who will direct you to the appropriate parking and give you
the code for use of the toilets and showers which are provided at the east end of the clubhouse for
those staying on site. - Whilst the marina has asked its permanent berth holders to use the other
toilet/shower block please bear in mind that non Oppy folk may still be using the ones at the
clubhouse. - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be considerate to everyone and DO NOT LEAVE KIT IN THESE
TOILETS AND SHOWERS.
Ribs
- On arrival, go past the LSC clubhouse and at the barrier press the intercom. It will be manned 24/7
so it’s not a problem if you arriving late. - Please report at reception who will direct you to the appropriate parking and berthing and supply a tag for the trailer. “P” Pontoon is
designated space for the event but ribs may need to raft and other berths may need to be used. - Ribs are self-launched although there is usually a member of staff around to assist if necessary.
- For those ribs which are part of the official event safety fleet, fuel cards will be issued to you which
need to be shown when refuelling. The marina staff will be very strict about which ribs are allowed
to be refuelled on the IOCA account so please do your best to have your card available.
Introducing our event coach Dan Burns
- This year at the Optimist Nationals, we will have an IOCA UK coach available to help all sailors!
- Dan Burns is one of our regular UK Optimist coaches and is going to run open briefings each day before
and after racing, which all sailors, whichever fleet they are in are very welcome to join. - The morning briefings will be focussed on the conditions on the day, what to expect and the weather, while the
evening briefings will be a summary of the day's sailing, and will also give sailors the opportunity to
ask any questions they may have on what they've experienced during the day. - Dan will also be generally available on land before launching, and on the water (focusing on the
racing fleets), and will have a coach flag when afloat, so please do come and ask him any questions
you might have on the water, and he's also very happy to help with queries on rigging etc on land.
He;s here to help!
We've asked Dan to summarise his sailing experience, and to provide a picture so that those of you
who haven't met him know what he looks like. He's looking forward to meeting you all next week!
- I sailed Optimists and 420s through the Junior and Youthpathways,
competing in UK and International events, and dabbled in 470s before Uni,
where I focused on team racing, keelboats and match racing. - I have been coaching Optimists since I was 16, both privately and for
IOCA/RYA squads, as well as coaching the 420 class since 2018. - I have coached at many events in the UK and overseas, and am coaching
the Irish Nationals senior team this year.
In the 420 we took a bronze medal at the Youth Nationals in Largs, so
hopefully I can share some of that venue experience!
Ceilidh Night - Tue 2 August 6:30-9:00pm
- Get ready to hit the dancefloor at 6.30pm with the very talented Jiggered ceilidh band.
- Don’t worry if you don’t know the dances as the band will step you through each one.
- The ceilidh is free entry so come along and enjoy an evening of music, dancing and laughter.
- Pizza and burgers will be available to purchase (details will follow) but you may wish to bring your own snacks.
- Largs sailing club will be providing the liquid refreshments both in the marquee and upstairs in the
lounge. - However due to the local licensing laws you must consume your alcoholic drink where you
purchased it. So if you use the bar upstairs then you can’t bring it downstairs and equally if you
buy it in the marquee you can’t bring your drink into the clubhouse. Don’t ask why this is, it just
is…but do please stick to the rule so everyone can enjoy the evening. - The ceilidh will finish at 9pm so everyone can get some well-earned sleep.
RYA & IOCA Training talk - 2 August after launch in the Club Lounge
RYA Optimist class rep Tim Hall will take you through the training paths for Optimist sailors and how
the RYA and IOCA training together provide a complimentary range of optimist race training.
After launch on Tues 2nd in the club lounge.
RYA Transition Talk - 2 August 2:30pm in the Club Lounge
Starting to think of a future beyond Oppys? Tim Hall from the RYA will guide you through the
supported pathways and give some guidance as to what to consider when your sailor is choosing
their next class.
Seagulls
Please be aware that Largs seagulls really like sailors’ snacks and packed lunches. If you leave any
food out or in an unzipped bag they are likely to find a way in and will happily help themselves. Don’t
leave your food unattended unless it is well protected!
Sail Number Trolley Stickers
Every trolley should be clearly labelled with the boat’s sail number.
This is really important as a check for the tally team. Hopefully all those at Weymouth last year for the Nationals will already have their CoastWaterSports stickers.
For those who were not there or who have new trollies, you will be given a sticker set for your trolley at registration. Please read the instructions carefully- there should be one sticker on the back wheel axle and one on the vertical part of the trolley at the front.
Bow Stickers
Our lead sponsors, Gill and Savills have provided bow stickers which will be in each sailor's goody bag that they collect at registration. Please make sure we support our sponsors by putting this sticker on the bow of your Optimist.
Main Fleet Boat Park
A document and a map describing the main boat park arrangements can be found here and here
Measurement course
We have our full complement of 12 trainees. Thanks to Adam Parry from the RYA and Will Welfare
for leading the course and our volunteers for taking on this crucial role.
Road Safety
The roads around the clubhouse are in use by the public to reach the marina, shops and restaurants
and will be busier as well with our own event traffic. Please discuss with your sailors the safest
places to cross the road between the clubhouse and the boat parks and what to look out for when
walking through car parks.
Event Photographer
Paul Sanwell, the class photographer, will be at the event all week capturing those sailing memories (please see the race office if you have any restrictions on your child being photographed).
Paul has set up a photography web portal for the event, where each day's photos will be uploaded for you to view. There are a number of options to buy a print or download the image - please follow the link above for more details. Until Saturday morning, the portal will include Paul's excellent photograps from last year's Nationals in Weymouth.
Reminders
Registration is 2-5pm on Saturday in the marquee. Main fleet sailors must come with their sail button numbers.
Opening parade will start at 3pm from the boat park and finish in the marquee with a short opening
ceremony. Bring your club and country flags.
Regatta Fleet measurement will take place down at the main boat park by championship slip. This
needs to be done before coming to register.
26 July 2022 - Update 3
Just a very quick reminder for all those sailors who won perpetual trophies at last year's Nationals to please return them to Largs for this year's Championships.
Also any one needing Optimist parts, Xtremity can deliver to Largs if you order in the next couple of days.
21 July 2022 - Update 2
With less than 2 weeks to go until the Nationals, here’s our second update of useful information to help you get ready for a fabulous week in Largs.
Equipment: remember to make any last-minute Oppy equipment purchases from our excellent class sponsor Xtremity. Any orders can be delivered directly to Largs, free of charge, and will be waiting for you on the Saturday. Please order as soon as you can to ensure delivery.
Registration Day (Sat 30th July): registration will be open from 2pm - 5pm in the Marquee next to the club house. If anyone needs to register on Sunday morning, from 8:30am - 9:30am, this must be pre-booked at nationals@optimist.org.uk
The Opening Ceremony will start with the traditional sailor parade - please bring your club and national flags to wave. Meet at the boat park at 2:50pm.
Measurement: for those sailing in main fleet (senior and junior), please ensure all your Optimist equipment (including foils, spars, sail and boat) is fully measured and the paperwork up to date before you come to Largs. Please bring all the relevant documents with you. If you are not up to date, please get in touch with a local measurer over the next few days. At registration, measurers will be focusing on Regatta fleet safety checks rather than main fleet. During the event, measurers will be doing on the water checks and may undertake checks at launching as well.
For those in regatta fleet (racing and coached), you will need to have your boat checked over before registration. Please bring your boat with relevant bits, including your buoyancy aid and whistle, to the measurement area next to the event boat park from 2pm on Saturday - see map of site. All regatta fleet boats will be checked by the measurement team using this form - a completed checklist is required for a sailor to register. There is no need to bring a blank form as the Measurement Team will have plenty. Confused? - don't worry, this useful guide shows what the measurers are looking for in these safety checks.
If you have any questions on measurement at the nationals, please contact Will at northwest@optimist.org.uk
Measurement Course: there are still some places left for the measurement course on Tues 2nd and Thurs 4th August. Please email Diana at nationals@optimist.org.uk if you are interested. As you will be aware, measurers are vital to the class and being a trained Optimist measurer would be a real asset to the young sailors in your region.
Training: last call to sign-up for Pre-Nationals Training in Largs 28 & 29th July! There is now a waitlist but please do still sign-up as if there is enough interest it maybe possible to extend the number of places.
RYA talks: Tim Hall from the RYA will be holding two talks on Tues 2nd August. The first, “Training Options”, will cover the various types of training on offer from RYA and IOCA and how they fit together to provide a comprehensive programme. This will be held in the morning after the fleets have launched. Later in the afternoon Tim will present the options for “Transitioning”, always an interesting topic to think about…what comes next after a sailor has outgrown the Oppy?
Catering options during the week: breakfast rolls will be available until mid-morning, with lunch options of soup, baked potatoes and toasties. There will also be various snacks and hot and cold drinks to purchase throughout the day. There will not be meals served in the clubhouse in the evening but the lounge will be open and you are welcome to eat your own food there, enjoying the amazing views. Or there are plenty of places to eat in the town.
Post sailing there will be a filled roll available for each sailor. If your sailor has any dietary needs then please complete this Sailor dietary requirements form and we will try to accommodate their needs.
Things to do in Largs: if you are bringing children who aren’t sailing then how about signing up for Wizard School at Kelburn Country Park which is just across the road from the sailing club. Or check out the activities for children at the Vikinar Leisure Centre. Other suggestions for things to see and do are given on the Largs SC website.
How can you help? Xtremity are kindly providing two RIBs for use at the Nationals. However, we need a driver willing to drive Xtremity’s van, double stacker trailer and both RIBs from Largs to Fareham at the end of the event. If you could help with this please contact Richard at safetyofficer@optimist.org.uk
Volunteer sign-up – this is absolutely key to the success of the event, please have a look and see what you can do. Any questions about the roles and what's invovled then please contact Stephen directly at volunteers@optimist.org.uk
Finally, a big thank you to…our sponsors. We couldn’t run these events without our kind sponsors, one of which is Fernhurst Books who would like to pass on this message...
“Fernhurst Books is pleased to be sponsoring the Optimist Nationals again. We publish Steve Irish’s popular book, Optimist Racing, along with countless other sailing books for both racers and cruisers. And if you’re into other watersports, we cover them as well, from the traditional kayaking, through ever-present stand up paddleboarding and even the latest craze to hit the water: packrafting! In the competitors’ registration bags there will be details of how to get a discount on our books.”
We are looking forward to meeting you in Largs, if you have any queries in the mean time please contact Diana Davidson the event coordinator at nationals@optimist.org.uk
Best wishes
The IOCA Nationals Organising Team
11 July 2022 - Update 1
- Pre Nationals Training spaces available - there are still spaces available on our IOCA UK open pre-Nationals training at Largs SC on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th July, led by local guru (and regular IOCA coach) Robbie Burns! Come along, hone your sailing skills in the Nationals venue and get some local knowledge as well - what could be better preparation ahead of the event? Signup here
- Entries still available - There are still places available in Main Fleet for both junior and senior sailors - please enter here by the 13th July to secure a place at the reduced entry fee.
- Volunteer for the safety fleet - If you'd like to volunteer to help on a RIB, as part of the safety boat fleet, as a mark layer, or measurer then please complete this form and also follow the links on the form to join the Safety Fleet WhatsApp and Telegram groups. If you have questions about these roles please contact Richard at safetyofficer@optimist.org.uk
- RIBS wanted - If anyone could bring either their own RIB or one from their club we would be very grateful and will contribute to your expenses. Please register details on this form and contact Richard directly if you’d like to discuss the details.
- Volunteers wanted - please sign up for the many volunteer roles we need to make this event happen. On the committee boat, on the beach and in the race office - please add your name to the sign up sheet . If you have any questions about these roles, timings or what’s involved please contact Stephen at volunteers@optimist.org.uk
- Become a Measurer - We are arranging a two-day Measurer training course during the week which will include one day delivered by the RYA and a second day of class-specific content led by Will Welfare. No boating expertise is necessary. If you are interested please contact Diana at nationals@optimist.org.uk.
- Social Events - The social programme is taking shape. On Tuesday night there will be a Ceilidh, with traditional folk music and dancing. We are also planning a SUP relay race on one evening after racing and on the lay day, the Regatta sailors will have an optional short cruise in their Optimists, perhaps north to the Town for ice cream or possibly even across to the island of Cumbrae for a picnic.
If you have any queries about the event in general, please contact the Event Coordinator, Diana Davidson at nationals@optimist.org.uk
Measurement course
The class needs to train more people to be measurers as inevitably parents move on as their children leave the class. As in previous year’s we are arranging a two-day training course during the week which will include one day delivered by the RYA and a second day of class-specific content kindly led by Will Welfare. No boating expertise is necessary so if you think this is something you might be interested in please email nationals@optimist.org.uk
More details of the course will follow in the next update.
