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:
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:
- Learn to sail is having a break starting up again Saturday 21st January 2017.
- 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).
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