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Just returned from a week long clinic in Safaga with Jem Hall. Other reviews on this site (Roys in April 2006 who must of liked it because he was on this years clinic as well! ) give details of the location however i thought I would give some feedback on the Jem Hall input to the holiday. Jem is of the RYA Fastforward School of teaching and preaches the super 7, drop and push, lift and lock, vision, opposing the rig, straight front arm, bent back leg and so one. Simon Bornhoft , and the coaches at Neilson centres all coach these fundamental principles.
Jem is enthusiastic , to the point where Windsurfing speak seems to issue from him at most waking moments he uses his South Coast banter to demonstrate each new move or carepoint. Some of the comments seem frivolous and funny at the time but its actually quite clever in that these buzz words really stick with you on the water.
For example if you have your hands too close together when bearing away into a gybe then this position is known as S**T but if you wider your grip this position is JOY. So by repeating S**T ..Joy . S**T ..Joy, S**T ..Joy. S**T ..Joy and moving the hand positions on the simulator the message is drilled home. As I write this it seems odd but I’ve remembered it so it definitely works. The group was of mixed ability , some guys trying advanced moves , most building fundamental carve gybe skills . Jem is quick to identify exactly what each individual needs and then coaches specific solutions for each. While the intermediates were getting instruction on stance , early planing , sailing into the turn etc, the advance guys were unlearning the most subtle of bad habits and trying new techniques and moves. A typical day would be lessons on a simulator during the morning, Jem demonstrating and then each of the group in turn on the simulator with tips given to each in turn . Then on the water to practise , Jem coaching either from the water or the beach. At any time you can collar Jem to give one to one coaching.
Afternoons are similar, with Jem videoing the action and then a video feedback session.
I found that it was the subtle changes in techniques that were the most powerful of lessons ,like for example feeling for the most efficient sail position using extended arms and narrow set harness lines , this sort of real time knowledge can be gathered so much better by being in the presence of a teacher, its difficult to get that depth from a magazine or even a video.
Overall I would recommend Jem Hall as a really good coach and an excellent communicator . I am sold on coaching in general.
Any cons
He owns a pink T-shirt with the logo “Hello Sailor”, Jem says it’s ironic, (Well maybe it is down South ,pal!)
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Venues 
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