Trapeze safety seminar in USA
Many in the USA sailing community are aware of the tragic drowning of 14-year old Olivia Constants in a club-supervised practice in Annapolis in June, 2011.
Olivia and her skipper were part of their club’s Club 420 Travelling Team that raced against other clubs in the Chesapeake Bay area. The drowning was caused by Olivia’s trapeze gear becoming “caught on something,” which held her underwater.
Coconut Grove Sailing Club hosted its 49th Annual Open Orange Bowl Regatta this past December 27-30, which included trapeze classes with young sailors. Consequently, in view of the timing as the first major trapeze class event following release of the USSailing report on the incident, the Organizers felt it was appropriate to present the latest thinking about trapeze safety to the entrants, their coaches and parents. The event was very well attended, with seating on the lawn and also on the upper deck of the Clubhouse behind the railing facing the Lawn.
Coach Steve Keen was introduced as perhaps the most advanced trapeze dinghy performance and safety person on the continent in terms of experience and thinking, and proceeded to ask Steve to carry out the Clinic. Steve’s presentation took about 45 minutes and totally held the attention of the attendees. It was a real achievement in an effort to “stand down” and think about safety while racing in youth-oriented trapeze classes.
To read the full presentation CLICK HERE.
