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Reuben Corbett is a professional sailor and coach who spends his time split between New Zealand and Sweden. For the last few years Reuben has been working for Yachting New Zealand as a Have a go instructor for the summer, then sailing on the match race circuit and coaching in Europe for the winter. Reuben is also the coach of the Kerikeri High school sailing team who just won their 5th back to back national title.
1. Why is the Kerikeri High School Sailing Team so strong?
Because the kids all by in to the environment and culture of the squad. The squad is limited to twenty and all of those kids are competing with one another to make the team. They know where they stand throughout the year as we keep a stats sheet with in house fleet race results, match race results, team race results, beep tests, rules tests, strategy tests, attendance and the list goes on...The kids all understand that the team comes first. The sailors are given a lot of the responsibility in terms of maintaining the boats, launching and retrieving ribs, coaching one another and overall maintaining the standards and processes put in place.
2. What was the training program leading up to the nationals.
This season the squad trained one afternoon a week in term four with the main focus on introducing new members to the squad. Term one the squad trains every Saturday 9am to 5pm.
3. How come there are so many sailors in Kerikeri?
Thanks largely to Dennis and Derry who run the show out at Lake Manuwai. Monday after school sailing for anyone at a ridiculously low price and a myriad of boats to choose from. They also run learn to sail / race on Saturday afternoons.
4. Is there more focus in Kerikeri on teams racing vs fleet racing ?
No. The kids can do what ever they like. A lot of them really enjoy the team racing as opposed to fleet racing because they love the boat on boat combat. It really tests their boat handling, communication, speed and team work. A lot of the kids find they learn a lot faster in a team environment because they sail with a lot of different sailors and when you first join you are paired with an experienced sailor meaning you get one to one coaching. A good number of the kids race with the old boys on their keel boats but only a small number regularly head off to the major fleet racing events. The Starling fleet has always been battling the Splash fleet.
5. Is there a good flow through of sailors from school sailing into club racing(keelboat sailing&dinghy )
Unfortunately there isn't much competitive centreboard fleet racing in Kerikeri. The main hurdles are purchase price and travel factors to all major events. However, a good number of kids sail on local keel boats and mix it up with the old boys in the Bay Race Week, local races, Coastal Classics and the like.
6. What coaching do you do overseas
Mainly match racing.
7. How did you get into the coaching overseas
Good question. Took part in a few events myself and got talking to locals who were looking for a coach. Once you have done a little they keep coming back and referring you to others. The first major one came courtesy of Phillipe Presti who recommended me to the Dutch Olympic Match Race Squad. We met Phillipe at a grade 1 match race event in Pornichet, France and became mates after a tight quarterfinal duel.
8. What racing do you do in NZ and overseas
In NZ I don't compete much at all because there aren't any high grade Match Race events. I've dabbled with a little F18 sailing but just with some mates for a blat. Overseas its mainly match racing. However, we raced in the Tour de France one year with Il de France which was a pretty wicked tour racing from port to port in overnight coastal legs followed by inshore races for a few days.
9. How do you find coaching different levels – high performance vs learn to sail/HAG
It's much easier now I've done both because I now know what to expect. Now days its just about getting in the right head space. It was certainly challenging when I first tried my hand at learn to sail / HAG, it taught me patience and reminded my why I first started sailing, the simple act of being out on the water without a care in the world.
10. How do you find work and manage down time as a professional coach
There is plenty of work out there if you want it. I find networking works best although there are plenty of sailing opportunities advertised at yacht clubs or online. I bought a lifestyle block a while back so during my downtime I'll potter around there in the peace and quiet.
