8.30 am Sunday Juniors :
Again this session had a great roll up of sailors with the usual first timers thrown in for good measure . The conditions were just perfect for this fleet with light winds ( 3/6 knots ) from the n/w to n/e so the course was set from the boat ramp to the bridge . It was pretty light near the bridge which created a few problems with people getting caught trying to tack and needing a bit of assistance to turn their boats around . Declan took a couple of newbies out in the laser and soon had them both steering ( with Help ) and working the main sheet so smiles all round . Jade took a friend on the Bic and with jades skill made it look easy for her friend . Leila and Willow had a go at steering and did struggle a bit but seemed to be getting it as the session went on . I did give Leila a tacking tip aferwards ( toes to the front ) so hopefully her tacks will get smoother next week . The rest of the fleet did quite well but I did miss Aithans best gybe all session hopefully I wont be distracted next time Aithan. To round the session off we have started the fun capsizing section at the end so everyone can get some pracdtice and cool down .
10.30 am Training :
With both Edwina out ( stiff and sore ) and Jacson out as well ( broken toe ) there was only a couple of people out for this session . We started with close hauled then a broad reach return which soon had everyone cruising around the course and best of all they didnt tack at the beach mark but actually sailed closehauled south then tacked to make the top mark ( no sail zone ) Jade led the way and I was really impressed with her decision as to when to tack to make the top mark , with no prompting she knew when to tack and layed the top mark perfectly . Abby was also just cruising especially when we sent them to the green channel mark but she somehow twisted her ankle and had to go in . Mason also improves each week with his upwind going well but just needs more sail out on the broad reaches but Iam sure he will get there . Finally both Dan and Aidan had a bit of trouble upwind just not getting the sail on and pointing up in the gusts the fine line between sail zone and no sail zone just need some more practice . Footnote : Aidan was at after school training on tuesday and we think he finally cracked the upwind bit , there was a few collissions with sand banks at First but once he got the idea no more sandbanks so great effort Aidan.
1.30 pm Open Racing :
With the afternoon weather forecast not looking to hot ( possible storm and 25knot wind ) we decided to start the race early to hopefully beat the predicted storm. Charlie pulled out before the start apparently too much partying on saturday so it was only Steve Casey Tom and Lance at the start line . The winds had swung e/s/e at around 12/14 knots so we started at the canal and layed a triangle course . Trisha and Michelle joined at the back of the start as they have both been out of the water for a while and just wanted practice . Tom was soon in front with casey second and steve third with Lance close behind . Lance was the first to retire after a couple of capsizes but still had a smile on his face then Casey retired supposedly from boredom but we think it was from too much partying as she couldnt stop yawning ? Again we miss counted the laps completed so as Tom went through the finish he gave us a reminder yell but we were set up for Steve . So did the storm arrive ? yes it did after everyone was on the rigging area so we all just watche the hail and rain for ten minutes then it was gone , actually it was that heavy we couldnt see the SYC sailors who were still out there when the storm hit .
UPCOMING:
Hospital Fundraiser Try Sailing Day
Club Xmas Party
School Holiday Youth Sailing Camps
CU on the water
J Murphy