PKSC Saturday 10th December 2016 Learn To Sail Week 5 report.
A cooler 20 degree day with a light 6-8 knot NE to ENE breeze made for great learn to sail conditions this week.
This week we had 3 learn to sail kids Ashley, Milli and new comer Kane.  
Setting up the skyriders involved some of the now more experienced kids showing Kane how to set up a skyrider. This week with the mixture of skill levels it was decided to setup a course reaching across the front of the shore. Justin manning the small rubber duckie and a few of the parents assisting launching the kids.
The focus this week was on balance, steering. Also keeping hold of the rudder when changing positions such as during tacking.
This week we focused on tacking (turning into the wind). This made our course into a figure 8 configuration.
With the occasional gust a little stronger we had to build some confidence in being able to control the sailing craft by releasing a little sail, leaning or bearing up a little into the wind to slow down.
Kane had never sailed before but we soon had him happily sailing back and forth. After advising him that we finished at 11am, he dutifully checked his watch each time he went past and advised me how many minutes till we had to go back in. When asked he said he would definitely be back! Also his grandfather (a trailer sailor from a few years ago) mentioned he remembered the original sailing club around the corner and might have some photos from years gone bye.
At the end of the session we went back in dismantled the boats and washed them down.
After which a special end of season visit from Santa’s little helpers was met with much anticipation. Eager learn to sail combined with junior sailing kids went out to the flag pole to look for anyone looking suspiciously like Santa landing on our shores. Covertly 2 of Santa’s helpers appeared bearing some lolly bags and small gifts to hand out to the kids.
After the obligatory Christmas photo we wrapped it up for learn to sail for this half of the season.
Wishing all the learn to sail kids and their families and merry Christmas and happy new year. Looking forward to seeing you all again in a few weeks time.
 
Regards Hugh Lewis
 
 
Note:

1. Learn to sail is having a break starting up again Saturday 21st January 2017.
2. Junior camp is not far away 18th and 19th of March. This is when we sail on Saturday morning, go out on a “big adventure”in the afternoon and sleep overnight. The following day we sail around Gooseberry Island (weather permitting).

A pleasant 24 degree day with a gentle 6 knot SE to ESE breeze made for fantastic learn to sail conditions this week.

This week we had 2 learn to sail kids Ashley and Cody and manly junior sailor, Dylan.  

Whilst setting up the skyriders we reviewed how to tie a figure 8 (stopper knot) and reviewed the various boat parts. At briefing we talked about how to sail to a buoy upwind. We spoke about what it means to be in “irons” and how to sail up to a buoy facing into the wind. After discussing with the young sailors we decided the answer is to sail at around 45 degrees away from directly into the wind.

The small rubber ducky was manned by Ashley’s dad, Justin. He set 2 marks offshore aligned with the SE direction of the wind.

Dylan headed over to join in with the Manly Junior course and Ashley and Cody worked on sailing to a windward mark. With 2 young sailors and 3 coaches this allowed the kids a very personalised coaching experience.

Some of the key areas Cody worked on were finishing his turns when tacking and keeping the tiller pushed across until the boat has completed the turn and the sail filled with wind from the opposite side. Sail between 2 people (acting as buoys) and practising tacking.

Ashley headed out on a work and tacked back to make the offshore mark. As confidence built the main sheet was pulled tight and Ashley was able to take the shortest route to the windward mark, practising controlling the power in the sail by using the rudder movement. Both youngsters experiencing what it feels like being in irons (when the sail flaps and the boat stops moving) and how to get out of irons by turning away from the wind and filling the sail to start moving again.

Cody’s Dad hopped onto the skyrider to give him some support to go out around the windward mark. Cody giving him some capsize drill practice.
With a few fluctuations in the breeze giving the young sailors a burst of speed every now and then to test their skills. Both appeared to enjoy the challenge. Ashley took a capsize whilst gybing in her stride and with a little assistance righted the craft and sailed away again without missing a beat.

The other thing the young sailors worked on was to keep in contact with the tiller and mainsheet -  transferring them from one hand to another when tacking and gybing so as to keep control of the boat.
Both young sailors doing extremely well.

Next week Saturday 10th December 2016 is the last Learn to sail session this year. Learn to sail is having a break starting up again Saturday 21st January 2017.

PS: Next week bring along some xmas theme gear as Santa might make an appearance after sailing.
Looking forward to seeing you for the final learn to sail for the season.

Regards Hugh Lewis

A day of around 21 degrees with a reasonably strong 16 knot SE breeze with a little stronger gusts presented conditions a little too strong for some of the learn to sail kids.

This week we had 3 of the newer learn to sail kids and 7 other 2nd season or more skyrider and/or manly junior sailors, these numbers boosted due to the Manly junior kids being away and some who didn’t go away trying their hand on the skyriders.

We spoke about picking the right weather conditions for sailing. Even the seniors don’t go out if the wind is greater than 25 knots on average. We spoke about sailing in stronger winds and key things to focus on. Balance using body position/ hiking, sail mainsheet tension. Plan was to sail between 2 marks across the wind working on tacking avoiding gybing in the stronger wind conditions.

The stronger wind conditions highlighted the need to point the nose of the boat into the wind to make setting up the skyriders much easier. After discussion with the kids and it was decided to test the conditions and those less confident did not have to take to the water on their craft.

Four (4) skyriders went out on the water most except one doubling up to help stabilise the small craft. The stiffer wind conditions did not seem to bother the young sailors who were not fazed. In between sailing back and forth practising their capsize drills. This kept Justin Brewer and Bob Porter jnr busy in the small rubber ducky.  

The breeze swung around a little more eastward during the session and challenged the young sailors awareness of sailing too close to the breeze.

For those who capsized it was a good opportunity to practice righting their craft in stronger winds. One lesson learned was the need to swing the nose of the boat facing the wind in stronger conditions so it doesn’t tip over the other way when righting. Overall the more experienced learn to sail kids revelled in the stronger wind conditions not bothered by an occasional capsize.

Hopefully the wind conditions are a little lighter next lesson.

Reminder: No learn to sail next week due to Kembla Klassic regatta. Learn to sail occurs the following week. See you then.

Regards Hugh Lewis