Thomas Chaix has been appointed Head Coach overseeing Sailing Development in the National Yacht Club, one of the country's most prominent clubs.
The new role has been created due to a comprehensive workshop regarding the club's needs and direct feedback from members.
It is anticipated that Chaix will be involved with all the club's racing classes and the junior dinghy classes; Chaix will also coach, among others; the Water Wags, Flying Fifteens, SB20s, Ruffian 23s and J109s that all race from the east pier club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
He will lead a broad range of performance coaching activities and programmes in the club under the direction of the Junior Organiser, Sailing Secretary and Class Captains.
Chaix started sailing in Brittany in the late eighties and took a love for the sport at a young age competing in Optimist, then Lasers in the regional Brittany squad.
Despite focusing on his Laser career at national and international levels with many significant performances and wins, he sailed and raced many other classes and prides himself as a very versatile sailor.
Since 2005 he has been professionally coaching and advising sailors in racing skills, equipment, sport psychology, fitness and nutrition. Thomas has worked for individuals, clubs, Irish Sailing and class associations, delivering effective coaching and helping sailors to deliver their potential, whether as a club sailor or a future olympian. He has continued sailing himself - recently winning the Fireball nationals last month and competing at the worlds in Lough Derg.
"I am looking forward to being part of the National Yacht Club team as Head Coach, bringing years of expertise in the role and delivering to all members improving sailing and racing skills and knowledge, continuing the club tradition around delivering excellence at various events from grassroots to Olympics, from dinghies to cruisers, whilst keeping the family spirit leading to the enjoyment of our great sport and activity."
In one of his first moves, Chaix has called a meeting on October 6th for all NYC Laser sailors of all fleets (including Junior fleets and adults), where he will discuss and set out his plans for developing the class.