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Delivering winter race training with tailor-made programmes by top-level coaches for optimum progress and attainment.
Full-time shore staff, superb facilities, large non-tidal water & a central location make Draycote the premier training venue.
With 5 years of developing young sailors to compete, we’re seeing our cohort go from strength to strength.
From younger sailors building confidence and self-esteem, through to multiple wins and podium places at national and international events.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Winter Training are now open via the link below:
Steve Irish is a world-class professional sailing coach. He has worked with the British Sailing Team, Turkish Sail Federation and Thailand’s 49er team. This has included coaching a variety of youth and junior squads, enabling 470 sailors to progress from development to Olympic-level funding – including Hannah Mills and Luke Patience – and leading 29er and 420 sailors to international success at championships such as ISAF Youth Worlds.
Steve himself started sailing in Optimists, going on to represent GBR and has had multiple successes at national, European and world levels in 420’s, 470’s, 49ers, RS800s and RS200s.
Joe Rowe is an RYA dinghy instructor and qualified race coach with a history in single handed fleets. A successful Topper sailor winning the National series and Topper world Championship before moving to the ILCA 6 where he raced at the highest level and achieved Gold Fleet position at the ILCA 6 Youth Europeans.
Now sailing an ILCA 7, Joe’s experience in Toppers, ILCAs, combined with vast experience of big fleet racing, supports his coaching skills.
Millie Irish is a qualified Race coach with vast personal sailing experience across a number of fleets racing on a national and international level. Starting out in the Optimist and progressing to national squads before moving in to the RS Feva winning numerous events, including the UK National championship.
She has raced 420s and 29ers at the highest level and is now sailing the 470. Millie is the lead Optimist Academy coach and will be looking to pass on her vast knowledge across a range of fleets in the future.
5th/6th October ’24
9th/10th November ’24
28th/29th December ’24
8th/9th February ’25
1st/2nd March ’25
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Barnaby Kemp
Blaise Kemp
Clemmie Renard
Buddy Hunt
Luca Johnson
Oscar Johnson
Rory Luddington
Amelie Renard
21st/22nd September ’24
9th/10th November ’24
28th/29th December ’24
8th/9th February ’25
1st/2nd March ’25
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Seth Bunn
Henry Cruse
Harry Fenton
Isaac Foulds
Finley Kirkby
Sam Mason
Tom Moriarty
Daniel Plant
Finlay Rhodes
Frederick Seddon
Alfred Stoyell
Hannah Swinton
Audrey Yang
Hari Clark
Laurie Lamb
Alexander Stainton
Faith Turner
Toby Turner
Edward Whittaker
5th/6th October ’24
23rd/24th November ’24 (postponed)
4th/5th January ’25
1st/2nd February ’25
15th/16th March ’25 (Battle of the Regions)
22nd/23rd March
5th/6th/7th April
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Michael Boatman
Matthew Boatman
Harry Fleming
Grace Fleming
Joseph Hulse
Jessica Willars
Molly Wilson
Harry Wilson
Hari Clark
28th/29th September ’24
30th November/1st December ’24
18th/19th January ’25
15th/16th February ’25
29th/30th March ’25
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Zachary Chappell
Archie Hutcheon
George Hutcheon
Kit Lester
Jai Mutreja
Alfie Naylor
Thomas Semmens
Ryan Surguy
Ellie Thwaites
Nathan Clark
Jai Dhaliwal
Noah Mathers
Ben Angell
Kat Gunn
Jacob Jull
Jessica Powell
28th/29th September ’24
7th/8th December ’24
25th/26th January ’25
22nd/23rd February ’25
29th/30th March ’25
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Aimee Bulkes
Billy Morris
Laura Parsons
Oliver Rogers
Harry Wemyss
Peter Astley
Sam Clarke
Hatty Connolly
Jasper Nicholls
Jacob Bennett
Jacob Blakeway
Joseph Shorter
12th/13th October ’24
26th/27th October ’24
14/15th December ’24
Stages are based on number of years sailing as part of Draycote Academy and not individual abilities.
Tabitha Blackman-Northwood
Fraser Ferguson
Callum Harris
Nathan Clark
Isabella Barnes
Jack Hodgkins
For Academy sailors to access the training plans, supporting documents and specific fleet information from Steve Irish.
For information on parking, accommodation, catering, arriving at Draycote and lots more, please follow the link below.
Take a look at our Academy clothing range with personalised options.
Draycote Water, Kites Hardwick, CV23 8AB
(Please note – there is no access to our site via Draycote village.)
(Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 3.00pm)
01788 811153
01788 814418
Please complete the form below and a member of staff will get back in touch with you.
All visitors and Club members should follow the Check Clean Dry programme before bringing their craft to Draycote Water and when they take their craft away.