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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.