Training

Training is key to help our young Optimist sailors achieve their goals. This could be anything from starting out by attending local training events at your club to the RYA Regional Training Groups or our open National training weekends.

Regional and National events allow you to improve your racing skills and tactics, and to make good friends who will hopefully be with you for a lifetime in the sport. Many of our parents involved with the class are still sailing with friends they met in their Optimists.

National Training

All upcoming training events are in our training calendar

Please see our 2023/24 Winter Performance Training selection policy

For national queries please contact the National Training Officer, Andy Byrne - training@optimist.org.uk

Regional Training

Good access to regional training means sailors should be able to train in their own area without long journeys, and cost effectively. We at IOCA UK are committed to ensuring that we hold regular class training and events across the UK, and support club and regional training across the country. 

The IOCA regions are Scotland, Wales, North East, North West, Midlands, East, Thames Valley, South East, South, and South West.

Each region offers a series of winter training dates and a summer area championship or regional regatta programme to attend. All different abilities are catered for using a variety of coaches with different skills and expertise.

Please see the Regions page for details of your local IOCA contact, or contact Carren Bell, Regional Development Officer regions@optimist.org.uk