TY Performance BaseCamp (Malta)

SailCoach has created the December TY Performance BaseCamp for students who would like to take part in an extended training period, which will finish with an international regatta, the Malta Europa Cup, in mind. We extend a warm welcome to sailors from other countries who wish to join this group of 15 and 16-year-olds, focusing on ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 sailing. Our TY Performance BaseCamp is based at the Seabank Hotel, Mellieha Bay, Malta. Designed for talented club sailors aged 15 and over who have been active in their national youth sailing circuits or Optimists sailors looking to transition to the ILCA Class. 

This intensive TY Performance BaseCamp is designed to take your sailing to the next level, with a strong focus on boat preparation, incorporating the latest class developments, fine-tuning sail settings, and mastering advanced boat handling techniques such as roll-tacks, roll-gybes, and efficient mark roundings. The ILCA Performance BaseCamp will place particular emphasis on refining upwind and downwind speed through detailed on-water drills and in-depth video analysis.

At SailCoach, we’ve long championed the concept of multi-national training, a model we pioneered years ago. This program brings together ambitious young sailors from different countries, creating a competitive, collaborative environment where they can push each other to improve. It also gives participants the chance to work with world-class ILCA coaches, many of whom have supported Team SailCoach at multiple Olympic Games.

Each day combines targeted classroom sessions with focused on-water exercises, providing a balance of theory, practice, and healthy competition. Tactical and strategic decision-making will be discussed during daily debriefs, with individual feedback and video reviews helping sailors gain a clear understanding of how to improve their performance.

Seabank Hotel, Mellieħa Bay, on Malta’s largest sandy beach

SailCoach’s Coaching Philosophy

We are dedicated to inspiring young individuals through an unforgettable adventure that leaves a lasting imprint on their lives. Sailing transcends the realm of leisure activity, it serves as a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. Our goal extends beyond providing top race training, it encompasses the development of character, confidence, and self-esteem, both on and off the water.

At SailCoach, we are committed to making a lifelong impact on everyone we encounter. We measure our success not solely by sailing achievements but also by the personal growth and achievements of our TY students. Our coaches are firm believers in the potential of all young people to succeed and realise their true capabilities. During their school transition year, we aim to equip them with a valuable set of life skills, enabling them to excel in various aspects of life, including academic success in the Leaving Cert. Our goal is to empower them for a bright and promising future.

A typical day

The day will start at 08:30, with students having their breakfast in the hotel restaurant and then meeting at 10:30 on the beach in front of the hotel for a physical training activation session. These physical training sessions will be conducted by our in-house S&C coaches, with care being taken that the exercises are suitable for that age group, ensuring their safety.

A briefing will follow what the coach plans for the day’s sailing sessions and point out the areas where the coach intends to focus, considering the prevailing weather conditions. After a short lunch, students will go afloat for the race training session, which could last between two to three hours, again depending on the weather forecast.