2022 LATE SUMMER TRAINING BLOCK

I have just completed the first of two blocks of training with the entire Canadian ILCA 7 Team and new coach in Halifax. This was a great opportunity to fold back in with the rest of my Canadian teammates. I am excited to be working with Andrew and appreciate what he brings to this group, including his growth mindset, technical knowledge, and recent racing experience. The relationship between athlete and coach is an important one, and I'm pleased to be working with someone who brings so much and has such a strong commitment to the group's success.

If you'd like to get to know Andrew you can read the interview he did with Sail Canada here.

2020 SAIL CANADA FALL TRAINING CAMPS - COMOX, BC

Mild(er) weather and strong winds - ideal late fall training here in Comox, BC Canada!
PHOTO CREDIT: Coach Ken Dool

I'm writing to you all from Comox, British Columbia, where I'm currently training with Canadian Sailing Development Squad. With mild(er) weather and strong winds out on the Strait of Georgia, training here has been a blast. We've received excellent training so far with Sail Canada National Performance Coach Ken Dool. It's a long distance out to the Strait from our base at 19 Wing Comox’s HMCS Quadra and staying warm while sitting on the towline out has been crucial. Once out there, though, the huge waves (affectionately named “big greenies” by our coach) and good breeze have made it worth our while. These conditions are a rarity in Canada, and it's exciting to have found them in a place where we can comfortably sail into the late fall. I heard back home, there has already been a dusting of snow.

Wave practice!
PHOTO CREDIT: Coach Ken Dool

Training has been going very well, with some significant improvements coming in the waves with consistent practice. While the certainty of international racing taking place anywhere in the near future is slowly getting murkier, I look forward to testing the progress I’ve made towards my goals whenever we get to race again. My fitness is still improving nicely both on and off the water. The focus has been on sailing this past 3 weeks - with 5 days out of 7 on the water. Additionally I have been in the community centre gym here 2 days a week plus out for a bike ride another 2 days. Next week is a planned 'down' or easier week.

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The local scenery around Comox & Courtenay is pretty stunning.
PHOTO CREDITS: photo on R taken from water - Ken Dool, otherwise my photos.

On our two days off per week, I've taken the opportunity to explore the surrounding area both by bike and on foot. I have to admit that I haven't previously spent any time on our west coast, but my first experience has been a stunning one. Not only is this a beautiful part of our country, but the community has welcomed our sailing group with open arms and has been exceedingly kind. I can't say enough how grateful I am to everyone who has helped make this possible.

Heading upwind with fellow team mate and B.C. local Fillah Karim. Wind and waves have been great - and the mountain backdrop is nothing to complain about!
PHOTO CREDIT: Coach Ken Dool

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2020 SUMMER TRAINING WITH CANADIAN SAILING TEAM

I suspect some of you may be wondering where I have been and what I've been up to over this last little bit. Rest assured, my focus on the goal has not wavered. As for many others, the pandemic has introduced much uncertainty into my plans for the immediate future, including when it will be safe to compete overseas again and where I will train when the weather gets cold. Nevertheless, I remain certain about my longterm goal to ensure a Canadian Laser qualifies for the next Olympics (at the Worlds in 2022.)

As many of you know from my last update, I shifted focus to dryland training and fitness at home this spring when competitions and travel to Europe were cancelled. Missed my update?
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At the end of June, when our team received clearance to train together, I travelled to Kingston for the first Canadian Sailing Team camp after a long period of everyone training apart. We spent a week of long sessions on the water honing our skills and practicing racing again with coach Larry Lemieux.

Sail Canada Coach Larry Lemieux.
PHOTO CREDIT: ©Sailing Energy / World Sailing - 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami

Sail Canada Coach Lisa Ross.

After that, we loaded up the cars and trailers and travelled out to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to train for an extended period with the new CSDS Laser coach Lisa Ross. In alignment with safety protocols, our team completed a 14-day quarantine prior to fitness testing at the Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic and starting daily on-water training on St. Margarets Bay.

Quality coaching is an essential component for continued growth and improvement in this sport and will be critical to get me to the podium. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Sail Canada Team coaches Larry and Lisa. Their depth of knowledge and experience is helping me continue to advance my skills.

Sail Canada continues to expand its role in getting our athletes back to the podium, with initiatives that include providing coaching to developing athletes with Olympic potential. With that in mind, I'd like to share an easy way for you to show your continued support for Canadian High-Performance sailing! In partnership with Helly Hansen, Sail Canada has released this great limited edition supporter's shirt. Lightweight and sweat-wicking, it's perfect for wearing while out on the water or working out. It would also make a great gift!

Click the button below to snag one (plus a tax receipt for your donation) before they are gone.

SAIL CANADA TRAINING CAMP - OAKCLIFF SAILING CENTER

Earlier this month I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Sail Canada Team camp at the Oakcliff Sailing Center in Oyster Bay, New York. We spent 4 days in close quarters with dorm style living for 40 people. This was an awesome opportunity to be around more senior athletes who are years ahead of me in terms of experience. Getting an up close look at what they are doing day in, day out and their advice was invaluable. One piece that really stuck with me is that you need to put in work at the next level above where you currently are, not where you are now. At this camp we spent 3 days sailing and had a fitness test. I was disappointed with my scores in comparison to my previous tests but did finally break the 7 min mark on the 2k row test. I set a personal best of 6:59 but I know there is still significant room for improvement.

Lots of support from the team!
Photo credit: Ken Dool

I will be continuing to increase my training load and focusing on my fitness in the lead up to my important winter events in Florida this January. In the meantime I am currently in Clearwater, Florida for a short training camp and then on to St. Petersburg, Florida to compete in the District 13 Laser Championships December 1-2.  

Results for D13’s should be available here once racing starts.

A FATHER'S DAY THANK YOU TO THE PERSON WHO INSPIRED ME TO SAIL

Today is Father's Day and I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to the man who got me into this sport. From the first day I stepped on a keelboat when I was very young to my trip to class youth worlds last year he has been there for every part of the journey as a coach, mentor, and inspiration. I’m super grateful to have him in my life and to be serving as a guide on my path to the top.

Thanks Dad!

Canadian Olympic Team Campaign for KC297 - Flying Dutchman team Mike Wolfs (l) and Stuart Bruce (r).
Summer 1991

TRAINING AT INTERNATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY

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I spent the final week of my school holiday break at the International Sailing Academy in La Cruz, Mexico. I learned a lot from this opportunity to sail with a great group of international sailors while getting Olympic level coaching. We spent six days of intense sailing in pristine conditions. The day would typically start with warm-up rabbit-start races followed by long upwinds consisting of lineups. On the upwinds, we focused on setting up the boat to add weight. This helped me to improve my steering through waves and timing of hiking significantly.

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We would then sail downwind back to the marina. On the downwinds, we focused on separating our upturns and downturns with a setup turn. This was a repeat of what I worked on the last time I was there last April but I was happy to revisit this crucial skill. I would like to thank Vaughn Harrison for his excellent coaching and all those who joined me for a productive week.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY COACH - CHRIS HEWSON

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In the spirit of National Coaches Week (#CoachWeek) I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my Ontario Sailing coach for these past 3 years - Chris Hewson. He has been extremely influential in this chapter of my sailing career and I can’t thank him enough.

From the time when I was first on the Laser Radial Development Team to now as I leave the Elite Team to transition into the Laser Full Rig he has always been there to chat and help me improve. I have come along way in this time and Chris has been a big part of that.

Thank You Chris!