Hello from Simon
Simon Winkley is a local windsurfer and wind/wing foiler and a friend of QM who served as our Sailing Manager for 10 years before pursuing a freelance career in 2011. He has been teaching windsurfing all over the world for 25 years and, as an appointed RYA Advanced Windsurf and Sailing Trainer, runs RYA instructor courses of al levels. As well as delivering WINDsurf/foil and WINGsurf/foil lessons at QM, he runs overseas clinics with Sportif, UK clinics in Weymouth and has published over 30 travel and technique articles in several magazines.
Simon loves to get out on the water in any conditions. The core of his windsurfing is freeride/freewave and this keeps him closely connected to the people he coaches. He is a very down-to-earth and patient person and makes sure that all of his sessions are fun and engaging whilst helping people to move their skills forward within a social windsurfing group.
Simon will be running four on-water windsurfing coaching days and presenting two evening talks this winter at QM.
WINTER 2021/22: on-water coaching days at QM (scroll down to book)
£40 for QMSC Members
Intermediate and Advanced level
Wednesday 2 March (10 places)
Times: 10:00 - 15:30 (feel free to start rigging up from 09:00)
Simon will work with a small group of intermediate and advanced windsurfers and will tailor the coaching to the needs of the group. Planing and non-planing skills could include getting going control at speed, harness, footstraps, tacking, gybing, waterstarts, carve gybes and more. Simon wil check your kit setup to ensure that you are getting the most from it. The sessions are about making small, critical gains: absorbing bite-sized pieces of advice to gain valuable insights and keep your skill set moving forwards.
Please bring your own kit or if you are a Select Member, book your slots to use QM kit. We are hoping for planing conditions, yet these days will run even in light winds (where, if necessary, a number of larger volume QM boards will be available to use with your own rigs). Light winds present great opportunities for non-planing exercises to take place where skills can be practised that will contribute towards planing progression.
WINTER 2021/22: evening talks at QM (scroll down to book)
All are welcome to this free event, QMSC members and guests.
Wednesday 2 March 2022, 1830-2100 - “The reality of learning: approaches to improving your on-water skills.”
Progressing our sailing, windsurfing or wingfoiling skills is something that we all aspire to, regardless of our current level of ability. Join Simon for an entertaining and thought-provoking journey through the reality of learning. Using anecdotes, clear reasoning and a gamut of references from cultural and academic sources, Simon will explore the reality of getting better at getting better.
Whilst racing techniques/tactics/tuning will not be included, the talk will reference motivation, mindset, resilience, pressure, positive reinforcement, risk, fear, failure, and – crucially - the importance of purposeful practice.
Progressing our windsurfing is something that we all aspire to, regardless of our current level of ability. Join Simon for an entertaining journey through the world of learning. Using anecdotes, clear reasoning and a gamut of references from cultural and academic sources, Simon will explore the reality of getting better at getting better.
Ongoing Coaching Opportunities at Queen Mary Sailing Club
Simon is available for personal coaching at QM to include Intermediate/Advanced windsurfing, WINDfoiling, WINGsurfing (winging on a big board) and WINGfoiling. Please contact him directly to discuss how he can help you
https://www.simonwinkley.com/contact/
Ongoing Coaching Opportunities in Weymouth and Overseas
On overseas and UK clinics Simon makes use, where possible, of GoPro POV cameras with both Flymount/Aero mast/boom/wing mounts, K4 Harness Mounts, head mounts, a HD video camera and a DSLR camera. Content is used in debrief sessions ashore and to provide you with those all important memories of your time on the water.
Kit set up and tuning are always covered to help you make the most of your time afloat. Shore-based coaching prepares for the action afloat where Simon will sail with you and the group, observing and making small tweaks to your technique. When not on the water he will be there for you on the beach to mentor and advise.
The information below gives an idea of what to expect from a clinic in either Lanzarote, Alaçati, Prasonisi or Weymouth. Queen Mary Sailing Club is pleased to recommend his coaching services and hope that you can join him to continue your journey or, in the event that you have been away from windsurfing for a while, to rediscover that feeling of being out on the water. Simon’s coaching will arm you with all the right ingredients for further improvements back at QM long after the clinic is over. Most of all – your time on and off the water will be fun and the holiday/session a pleasurable one!
Costa Teguise, Lanzarote: 21 - 28 March 2022
Level: adventurous Intermediate and advanced: general freeride skills and intro to more open sea conditions and some waves, jumps etc. Only a summer wetsuit needed in March, solid wind, mind-blowing location, great kit...memorable winter escape! Click here to view Simon's Costa Teguise WSUK magazine article http://www.simonwinkley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/SW-WSUK-Lanzarote-Article.pdf
LANZAROTE - Information and booking with Sportif 01273 844919: https://www.sportif.travel/clinics/69/65/Lanzarote_21-28_March_2022
Alaçati, Turkey: 28 June - 5 July 2022
Level: all intermediate and advanced: flat water freeride skills, getting up to speed, carves, tacks, gybes, waterstarts etc. Warm, great wind, relaxed & friendly vibe, high levels of service from the centre, incredible dining...the perfect summer plan! ALAÇATI information and booking with Sportif 01273 844919: https://www.sportif.travel/clinics/117/69/Alacati_28_June_-_05_July_2022
PRASONISI, Rhodes: 17 - 24 September 2022
Level: all intermediate and advanced: flat water freeride skills, getting up to speed carves, tacks, gybes, waterstarts etc. Warm, great wind, relaxed and friendly vie, high levels of service from the centre, wide sandy beach with shallow launching, remote location ... an awesome getaway! PRASONISI information and booking with Sportif 01273 844919:
https://www.sportif.travel/instruction/Simon+Winkley+Windsurf+Clinics
Portland Harbour Weymouth:
30 April/1 May & 2/3 May; 28/29 May & 30/31 May; 18/19 June & 20/21 June; 1/2 October & 3/4 October; 26/27 November & 28/29 November
Level: all intermediate and advanced: flat water freeride skills, confidence-building, getting up to speed, carves, tacks, gybes, waterstarts etc. Regular UK social windsurfing getaway to maintain the flow of improvement. Great wind stats, friendly centre with solid expertise and evening socials... a classic flat-water venue! Choose either a weekend clinic, a Monday/Tuesday clinic or the full 4-day option.
WEYMOUTH information and booking: http://www.simonwinkley.com/uk-clinics
OTC clinic video: https://youtu.be/jhwC78B8-LU
Free PDF windsurfing articles: https://www.simonwinkley.com/articles/
