As part of Marlow’s commitment to youth sailing, we are pleased to be working with the International Optimist Association Class at their key events this year to deliver education workshops on ropecare and splicing. This August we have been supporting them at the  Volvo Gill Optimist British National and Open Championships which welcomed 370 sailors from across the UK and rest of the world.

In between sailing and competing, the IOCA fleet and their parents have been taking part in workshops held by Marlow’s David Mossman, and we’ve had some star splicers completing their first Dyneema strops, locking splices, diamond knots and soft shackles.

Marlow’s UK Sales Manager David Mossman commented:  “We’re really excited that we can share our knowledge and passion with sailors as young as 8 in the Optimist class and in doing so, we are empowering them to make informed decisions about what is right for their boats, and ultimately this will have an effect on their performance.  It’s been a delight to work with IOCA this week, we have taught over 80 adults and young sailors to splice Dyneema strops and everyone produced a kicker/ sprit strop with a tapered locking splice during their sessions. They are now all keen to do all the splicing on their own boats and we hope to continue working with both the opi’s and the young generations in other classes so that these skills stay with them throughout their sailing journeys .”

For further information about the Optimist Class click on the links below and stay posted to hear more about our work with youth sailing:

Click here for footage of the Volvo Gill Optimist British National and Open Championships:
https://vrsport.tv/vr-media/2018-optimist-british-national-open-championship-day-one/
https://vrsport.tv/vr-media/2018-optimist-british-national-open-championship-day-two/
https://vrsport.tv/vr-media/2018-optimist-british-national-open-championship-day-three/