Paul Brotherton started sailing at a very early age. As a member of Glossop and District S.C. his first open event was a Mirror Open at Rudyard Lake. Paul went on to be a successful member of the British Youth Squad and finally into the Olympic Team finishing 6th in the 470 at the Barcelona Olympic Games. Added to this he is a past 49er European Champion and is the only sailor from anywhere in the World to win medals at both the 470 and 49er World Championships. Paul is currently coaching, amongst others, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, Gold Medallists from Athens, and their new team mate Victoria Rawlinson in the Yngling in their campaign for Beijing in 2008.

Paul came back to Rudyard to coach both the Jybaz and the adults. The day kicked off with a briefing session for the 40 or so Jybaz in attendance in which Paul used the Olympic dream to inspire the kids. Then they had individual attention on the water with Paul giving advice from one of our powerboats. Following a briefing (and some lunch!) we held a Jybaz race, and even got Paul back into a Mirror - this time as on- board coach. And the sailing day wrapped up for the kids with some on the water fun activities, like collect the bottles - good ways to hone the boat handling skills. Meanwhile Paul gave some individual coaching to some of the adult sailors, passing on some valuable tips that will be welcome for the rest of the season and beyond.

And to wrap up a memorable day - a bbq on the balcony!