Cat Clinic 2025
This year, our annual Catamaran Clinic takes place on July 4, 5, and 6, 2025 at the Newell Sailing Club. Planned activities over the three days include capsize recovery practice, team upwind/downwind sailing, general sailing with introductory rides for those interested in catamaran sailing and 3 basic rules in practice. Other activities as well depending on interest.
You are more than welcome to join us, even if you are not a member. The weekend will be structured as a social, educational and sailing event:
- Useful information will be shared concerning boat maintenance and safety.
- Participants are responsible for bringing their own food and beverages.
- We would appreciate a donation to the club of $20 per boat for the weekend, to be paid through Interac. If you don’t bring your own boat, you can still come along.
Program
The agenda is rather flexible, but roughly comes down to this (weather and wind conditions permitting):
- Highlights include Seaspray fiber glass demonstration work and upgrades to the classic Seaspray. Learn how to improve a boat by making a few essential changes. Weight, sail controls and boat handling play a big part in having a positive sailing experience.
- Destination sailing challenges. Learn about the Lake Newell Sail Challenge. Learn about having a sailing goal when heading out for a sail and see how this can add to your skill level.
- Race yourself concepts. If you can’t make it to regattas or need to improve your performance, learn how you and/or a few fellow sailors can use waypoints or location descriptions as imaginary marks to sail around. Time yourself and try to improve your performance over the sailing season.
- GPS unit or watch use. The use of GPS can be a way of recording your progress electronically as well as other potential skills practice.
- Log book recording of your progress. It’s important to record your activities and date/times as well as weather conditions. You will have a useful record of your activities that can help you gain confidence and knowledge of your potential.
- A practice windward and leeward marked course will be set up close to the club for upwind downwind practice and possible practice races.
- Socializing and getting to know your fellow sailors.Bring your own food and beverages.
- Each day will have a short discussion followed by a demonstration and general sailing
Things to Bring
- Your catamaran if you have one (but not required)
- Personal Flotation Device (Mandatory)
- Wet Suit or whatever keeps you warm and comfortable.
- Extra parts, tools and tape: you never know what you might need, be prepared.
Food
Food is not included, so we are counting you bring your own. There is a BBQ available to cook on.
For Saturday night we are having a potluck, where we ask you bring a dish that can be shared between all of us. If you use nuts, gluten or meat, please make a note of that, so people with allergies won’t accidentally eat from your dish. We will have the Club House open for dinner on Saturday, so there is a stove, oven and microwave to heat up food.
Accommodation
Camping on Club Grounds is not possible, but you can reserve your camping spot online at Kinbrook Island Provincial park. We listed a few alternative locations on our website.
Registration
Please, register below if you plan to attend. We will get in touch with you closer to the date.
If you have any questions about the clinic: albertabeachcatamaransailor @ gmail.com. You can also visit their website for more info on catamaran sailing as well as this clinic.