With many, many thanks to the Australian Sailing Team, and the delightful members of the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club, we are delighted to bring you these images.

After such a long hiatus ashore, not only was it great to catch up with superstars like Mat Belcher, Will Ryan, Jake Lilley and Matt Wearn, but also the squad members who make the team so strong. It is also an utter privilege to be with coaches like Iain Murray, Victor Kovalenko, Michael Balckburn and Rafael Trujillo.

Even the Humpback whales were happy to see everyone, so we thank them, along with the rays, dolphins and turtles that frequent the marina as well…

Pre-training, sailors only briefing for the AST Laser Squad at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club - photo © John Curnow

The AST Laser Squad take the very short stroll down to the beach form the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club. - photo © John Curnow

I just bet that little kid knows he's looking at sailing royalty - 470 World Champions and Olympic Gold Medallist (Mat Belcher) and Silver (Will Ryan) take the short walk to the beach at Coffs Harbour. - photo © John Curnow

Olympian Jake Lilley with training partner Anthony Nosier departing Coffs Harbour for the training course. - photo © John Curnow

470 World Champions (amongst their many other accolades) Will Ryan and Mat Belcher - photo © John Curnow

AST Laser representative, Matt Wearn, giving it his all during training. - photo © John Curnow

Luke 'Swifto' Elliott certainly showed plenty of what he's famous for - pace. - photo © John Curnow

As if answering the request, this Humpback was keen to impress. - photo © John Curnow

Look at me - so we did! AST Laser Coach Michael Blackburn is in the RIB to the right of frame. - photo © John Curnow

What goes up.... - photo © John Curnow

All of the inhabitants at Coffs Harbour put on a real show... - photo © John Curnow

On board with AST Finn Coach, the Maharajah of Finns, none other than Rafael Trujillo, as the Humpbacks investigate the AST squad. - photo © John Curnow

`I'll go under him` might is right, but this whale was also deftly astute. - photo © John Curnow

Whales having a blast off Coffs Harbour in late June. - photo © John Curnow

The legend that is Anthony 'Nocka' Nossiter with his Finn on the dolly as Olympian Jake Lilley also comes ashore after training. - photo © John Curnow