Introduction by Tony Sanderson. Spoke about club run by volunteers. Tony stressed the need to a parent coming along and helping out and that by participating the parent would also learn about sailing. We advised Tony Club president, Hugh Lewis Club Captain and Aaron Weare back next week learn to sail instructor. A good turn out of 13 young sailors participating this week.

1. Ran thru club facilities, toilets and showers, boat shed, canteen, bar, sky rider storage, lift jacket rack.
2. Spoke about next learn to sail and natural progression to Manly Juniors next step.
3. Handed out the registration forms to fill out. I advised we would sort out payments in next week or two. As some were interested in the government payment scheme, eftpos etc.
4. Asked all the kids to sign on and off. Explained the importance of this (so we know who is participating and to check that they have returned to shore safely) and that even Sydney to Hobart sailors do the same.
5. Spoke about safety gear, Life jacket, booties, wet suit, hat, sunscreen.
6. Drew up sketch on black board and got student involvement as to parts of boat and what they do.
7. We then went outside and had the class members put together and dismantle a skyrider. (too windy to put a boat on the water) 20 knots with up to 43 knot gust around 10am.
8. Spoke about how can you tell where the wind is coming from. Got all sorts of suggestions, throw grass clippings into air, look at trees, look at flags , face into the wind, wet your finger etc.
9. Mica Sullivan gave assistance and we sent all the juniors out for a 50m swim test dressed in life jackets. A couple of the parents also came out in the water to assist. I went of with them also and they got around comfortably. Water temperature pretty good.
10. Then Manly Junior was setup on the rotating table so had the learn to sail kids have a go. Spoke about how the wind fills the sail. Showed them good air flow over sail when the tell tails back and front of sail flow back horizontal to ground. Gave some basic ideas of what way boat turns when move rudder.
11. One of the parents asked what we would recommend for extra learn to sail. After they left Barry Grant advised some good website info on sailing.
12. Youtube: “Julian Howarth Sailing” – there are several videos covering the various aspects and theories on sailing. Maybe more directed to the parents rather than small kids.
13. www.northsails.com – “how sails work”
14. Learn to sail for beginners at "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b477nzyJum0"
    

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.