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.
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.
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.
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