Merlin Rocket Youth Training 2026 - Event 1 at Fishers Green Sailing Club
by Aimee Dalby 17 Feb 09:54 UTC
14 February 2026
Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 1 at Fishers Green © FGSC / MROA
2026 has seen the launch of the Merlin Rocket Youth Training Programme. A brand new initiative for the class, made up of four events for those aged 16 to 25 years old. The class is inviting experienced dinghy racers who want to learn to race a Merlin Rocket to get in touch.
Aimee Dalby took the water at the first event held at Fishers Green Sailing Club on Saturday 14th February - one of the only days of sunshine this year! Hear from Aimee, who is usually spotted sailing with her dad Andy Dalby in 3766, The Bear.
I wanted to do the youth training as the Merlin Rocket can seem so complicated and overwhelming compared to a Feva which I usually race. I enjoy sailing the Merlin Rocket and this training seemed like a good opportunity to pick up lots of tips.
I'm 16 and usually rushed into the boat just before an event not knowing what all the controls do and how to set it up. I'm not convinced my dad does either I want to start sailing Merlins with other helms now and be a bit more confident.
The forecast looked freezing which may have put some others off but once we got to Fishers Green Sailing Club it warmed up. It was sunny and there was a nice breeze for us to learn the boat without it being scary. Christian Hill from the club made me a lovely egg roll and hot tea. I met Courtney who is a RYA race coach and really lovely. I was paired up to sail with George who I had briefly met at last years championships at Looe.
Courtney talked us through what we were going to do and off we went to take a look at our Merlin Rocket Stanley rigged and ready to sail. We were shown how to set Stanley up, rake the mast forward and back and then off to test all this on the water.
We spent the next three hours on the water with Courtney giving us instructions from a rib where we compared setting changes against other Melrin Rockets sailed by Pete, James and Paul - all clearly experienced sailors. We kept trying different settings, stopping for a break to discuss, making adjustments and going again seeing if it helped our speed or not.
George mainly helmed but I managed a go too. Courtney shared tips on all aspects of our sailing including movement, communication and what to think about. After a good session on the water, we headed in for a nice, toasted sandwich and quick debrief with some of the video footage, then off home. Thank you everyone who put so much effort into the first youth Merlin training day. Looking forward to the next one in a couple of weeks.
If you like what you read and want to get in involved, come and find at the more at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show on the Merlin Rocket stand. Alternatively, please get in touch with Paul Dean
The next event is at Fishers Green on 28th February 2026.
www.merlinrocket.co.uk