This week I was away. Steve Sellers, who filled in for me,  advised the following for the learn to sail report.

A lovely day with perfect light winds just right for learn to sail. Around 25 degrees with a light 6 knot breeze from the SE.

Steve in particular wanted to mention and thank the willingness of parents and even grandparent(s) to lend a hand both in the water and on the shore which helped make things run smoothly.

A good attendance with around 10 kids participated this week. Steve mentioned that his young fella defected and jumped aboard short-crewed Manly Junior of Riley Curry. Apparently having a ball and asking when he could do that again.

Steve advised that the learn to sail kids are really coming along in leaps and bounds only after a few sessions - already having a good feel on how to balance a boat , tacking and gybing and shifting their weight and timing their movements well.  

Big thanks to Steve and fellow helpers.
 
Regards Hugh Lewis
Learn to Sail Coach

PS: Next week is the final learn to sail for the season ( 18th of March 2017). This is the juniors sailing camp. Plan for a great fun weekend. Starts with regular learn to sail in morning, then go out with senior sailors in the afternoon. We do activities in the evening and watch a movie. Sleep over in the club house. Sunday morning after breakfast we go for an adventure sail around Gooseberry Island. There will also be opportunities for the learn to sail kids to hop on a Manly Junior. Normally finish up around lunch time on the Sunday.

A cloudy day around 23 degrees with a Southerly breeze starting out around 11 knots and dropping off to around 4 knots, even with the promise of plenty of rain,  made for perfect learn to sail conditions for two (2) young sailors. This week, Kyah Glover and Samuel Gray.
With a little lighter breeze than last week the new sailors were quite confident even when the 10 knot breeze was blowing..
We started out checking out the wind direction then setting up two skyriders. Reviewing the names of the different components: hull, mast, mainsail, centre board, boom, rudder, mainsheet  and boom vang. It was then time for the kids to show their parent(s) how to assemble their craft. There was also opportunity to review and practice a figure 8 stopper knot and a half hitch.  Once setup we went back to the club house to talk about the focus for the session.
This week we planned to sail across the wind around 2 buoys. Tacking on the east end and gybing on the west end. Concentrating on keeping hold of the rudder and swapping hands behind the back when executing tacks or gybes hence keeping control of the skyrider(s). Remembering to duck when the boom cross over head.
Kyah’s dad taking out the small rubber duckie and myself and Samuel’s dad at each end of the course assisting the sailors in their tacks and gybes. Initially the stronger winds proved challenging however as the session progress the winds dropped off a little and the young sailors confidence grew. It was not long before the young sailors were progressing in leaps and bounds. Circulating from one end to the other and tacking and gybing at each end without assistance. I wasn’t sure who was happier Kyah or her dad with her progression even during the hour on the water after only her second time on a skyrider. Samuel and his dad also having a great time consolidating his lessons learned after his 4th or 5th session. As the session progressed the two started racing each other which increased their focus, spurring them on. They then hopped into the rubber duckie and were taken out into the lake so they could do their 50m proficiency swim (passing with flying colours). At the end of the session Kyah's dad joined her on the skyrider, looking at options off season.
After packing the gear the fun didn’t stop. The young sailors washed each other off as well as the boats capping off a great day.
Reminder  only 2 weeks till the juniors sailing camp and the end of junior learn to sail for the year.
 
Regards Hugh Lewis
Learn to Sail Coach

PS: Only 2 sessions to go. Our final learn to sail for the season being 18th of March 2017. This is the juniors sailing camp. Start planning for a great fun weekend. Starts with regular learn to sail in morning, then go out with senior sailors in the afternoon. We do activities in the evening and watch a movie. Sleep over in the club house. Sunday morning after breakfast we go for an adventure sail around Gooseberry Island. There will also be opportunities for the learn to sail kids to hop on a Manly Juniors with an experienced MJ sailor. Normally finish up around lunch time on the Sunday.
Next week I have a camp with my son so won’t be at learn to sail. Learn to sail is still on with the very experienced Steve Sellers filling in. So come on down and have a great time. I look forward in catching up in 2 weeks.

A cooler cloudy maximum of 21 degree day with 10 to 15 knot Southerly breeze tested the seven (7) young sailors participating in the PKSC learn to sail program.

With another new starter, Kyah Glover, we spent time demonstrating how to set up a skyrider. Collecting all the components. Pointing the hull into the breeze etc. He also received some advice from Steve Sellers and the other parents assisting  the  kids when necessary:- Dylan Beattie, Corbyn Devanish, Samuel Gray, Flynn Sellers, Ayesha and Quentin Mascarenhas setting up their skyriders.

With the stronger breeze the briefing focused on what you do to control the boat and keep the hull flat. Concentrating on leaning and mainsheet control. Letting the mainsail rope (mainsheet) in and out to help control power in the sail. We also armed the kids with the knowledge that if the boat gets a little too fast then they can turn up into the wind to slow down.

On the shore we demonstrated leaning, mainsheet control and affect. Another area also reviewed was when tacking the need to swap hands behind back keep in contact with tiller at all times. Sliding the back foot thru so that you turn facing forward and end up on windward side after tacking the boat. After each of the kids had  practiced on shore it was time to go onto the water. Looking out over the lake there were quite a few white caps and some reasonable waves coming into to the shore. The more experienced manly junior kids Dylan Beattie and Corbyn Devanish going out 1st and we had Dylan Beattie’s dad set up 2 buoys across the shore line for them to start sailing across parallel to the shore. With the rest of the learn to sail kids we started with one skyrider initially and four adults which we built up to 2 skyriders. So they could get focused mentoring and guidance. The other kids waiting in the water for their turn.

This approach worked well with the kids gaining confidence. Even Kyah under instruction, first time ever on a sail boat happily sailing in a 10 to 15 knot breeze with up to 18 knot gusts and waves between 2 adults. Must be a natural. By giving the new learn to sail  kids assistance tacking they and keeping them upright the majority of the time saw them circulating between the 2 adult buoys. Confidence growing and progressing quite well by the end of the session.

The more experienced manly junior kids found the going a bit tough. Not getting as close hands on assistance sailing independently between the 2 buoys. Towards the end of his session after a couple of capsizes chose to climb aboard the little rubber duckie and watch the rest of the learn to sail kids.
It was great to see even 1st time new sailors take on the conditions and enjoy themselves. At the end of the session I had to tell the youngsters to come in as they would have kept going. I would like to thank the parents who assisted lending a hand.

After packing the gear and wash down I let the kids know to start thinking about coming to the end of
season camp (see below). At the end of the session a new parent approached me regards his 2 sons looking to start learn to sail. So looks like we will have another 2 new keen starters next week.
 
Regards Hugh Lewis
Learn to Sail Coach

PS: Only 3 sessions to go. Our final learn to sail for the season being 18th of March 2017. This is the juniors sailing camp. Start planning for a great fun weekend. Starts with regular learn to sail in morning, then go out with senior sailors in the afternoon. We do activities in the evening and watch a movie. Sleep over in the club house. Sunday morning after breakfast we go for an adventure sail around Gooseberry Island. There will also be opportunities for the learn to sail kids to hop on a Manly Juniors with an experienced MJ sailor. Normally finish up around lunch time