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

A cooler 25 degree day with 6 to 12 knot SE breeze greeted a small keen group of three (3) learn to sail kids.
Ashley Brewer coming down early to survey the conditions deciding not to go out and stay with mum as the wind conditions looked a bit strong. Zac Sellers and Samuel Gray not put off setting up their skyriders. Caiden McPherson coming down a little late so I assisted setting him up as the other kids went out to start sailing.
This week with the stronger wind conditions we focused on keeping the skyrider hull flat in the water. Using skills such as body position and lean. Using the foot hiking strap to help prevent slipping. Also we practiced powering up and down and feeling the effect on tipping the boat, by pulling the mainsheet on and off in a controlled manner. We also got to practice what happens when you let go of the rope when you are hanging out (boat tips back towards you).  There was also re-enforcement of transferring hands when tacking to keep control of the tiller (sliding the back foot thru and transferring the tiller hands behind the back.

Even initially with only 2 learn to sailors with 2 dads in the water it re-enforced that need to have the small rubber duckie in the water to retrieve wayward sailors as Samuel sailed out further than intended and ended up capsizing over nearby to the break wall. Justin leaving the MJ’s to give me a hand to retrieve Samuel. We ended up giving Samuel a ride back whilst his dad had a go at sailing a skyrider back to our learn to sail zone.

Caiden McPherson a more experienced learn to sail kid was doing his own thing sailing across the shore. With the stronger breeze he was letting his mainsail out to prevent capsize (basically a broad reach). However when it came time to tack he found it difficult to tack. The boat stalling before it came around. And in one instance ended up outside the rock wall with a capsize. Thanks to Brad and Hayden on the MJ response boat who assisted him back up so he could sail back to the learn to sail zone.

The rest of the learn to sail session was a little less eventful with Zac and Samuel sailing between 2 adults practicing sail and balance control.  Mixing this with a little capsize practice the kids having fun. Caiden happily sailing between 2 buoys parallel to shore. After a little coaching regards needing to round up closer to the breese with mainsheet pulled on before tacking, doing the trick. This saw him happily circulating between the 2 buoys.

Once we packed up and hosed down the craft Samuel and his dad were seen taking a photo to send to his mum. When asked they advised she was boarding the “Norwegian Star” cruise ship in Auckland as an entertainer which is going to visit Port Kembla.

Later in the afternoon after the thunderstorm Caiden rescued a lizard being swept into the lake in the water flooding across the rigging area.

Regards Hugh Lewis
Learn to Sail Coach

PS: Only 4 sessions to go. Our final learn to sail for the season being 18th of March. 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.

At 9:30am it was already 30 degrees with 6 to 10 knot ENE breeze.
This week Archer Luckman had a personalised training session when Ashley Brewer jumped at the opportunity to crew on a MJ with her brother James, also Caiden McPherson didn’t have to be asked twice if he wanted to take his skyrider out on the MJ course to test his skills.
Hence we set up one skyrider for Archer and one for Caiden. I brought along a few tools and Archer enjoyed giving a hand carrying out some repairs.

This week we focused on keeping hold of the tiller when tacking (turning) and working on body position to balance the boat combined with main sheet control. Pulling the main sheet  rope on harder to power up or letting it out looser to depower and flatten the hull (stop the craft tipping over too far).
We ended up leaving the small rubber duckie on the shore in standby in case required and proceeded out into the water with our single trainee sailor.

So Archer, his dad Brendan and myself waded out into the lake. Archer then sailed between his dad and myself across the wind. We were human buoys and Archer had to sail around us at each end. With focused personalised instruction he was improving in leaps and bounds. When tacking getting the hang of sliding your back foot thru, mainsheet rope reach across front and held in original tiller hand as slipped thru and transfer the rudder from one hand to the other behind the back.  Archer was getting more and more confident as the session went on and also was feeling more comfortable when a gust came thru and with minimal instruction was able to flatten his craft and keep it upright. Only capsizing a couple of times.
After a good ¾ hour on the water Archer had enough and we headed to shore. His enthusiasm continued to hosing down the equipment and anyone close enough to be in the way. No-one was complaining as it was quite warm.
Caiden came back in a little while later and advised that he had enjoyed himself but couldn’t match the speed of the manly juniors. Ashley also was pretty happy with herself also having had an enjoyable sail on the manly junior with her brother James.

Don’t forget learn to sail skips 1 week and we come back again Saturday 18th February 2017.
 
Regards Hugh Lewis
Learn to Sail Coach
PS: Next week is the Manly Junior states and so there will be no learn to sail Saturday 11th February 2017. You are more than welcome to come down and check out the regatta as there are some pretty good young sailors in the manly juniors fleet. You will also get a feel for the regatta atmosphere.