Little tackers sail training

15 September 2012

Six very young future sailors turned up for the the BRSC's first sail training session of the 2012/13 season.

Peter

Noela

Noela and her friend Peter arrived at midday and as more often than not happens at Harwood after a very calm morning an afternoon sea breeze sprang up. I had already rigged so without further ado we launched and headed off down river intending to cruise (not race) in company with Norm in his 19 foot trailer sailor as far as the Goodwood mark. However we were going so well that we kept going to the first port marker. Despite some help from a flood tide by the time we got back to the club house the Saturday afternoon race was over, boats packed up but we were just in time for the last slice of Jan's home made cake. Noela had told me that Peter had "some experience sailing in Sydney Harbour". It was quite obvious within a couple of minutes of setting off that he was no novice. So I interrogated him and found that he has sailed 16, 14 and 12 foot skiffs and even competed in a world championship on Lake Macquarie. He quickly slipped back into competitive mode and tried to get the last ounce of performance out of Little Dragon.

 

The prototype Clarence Cruiser

 

Ancient Mariners Gary Winter, John Hayes and John Woods have been busy all winter designing and building this Clarence Cruiser. At last she was ready for sea trials. On Friday there was far too much wind for any of the Ancient Mariners to venture out to sea or even into the Clarence River. On Saturday morning Gary at least established that she floats but there was too little wind to see if she will sail to windward.

 

Last week I complained I turned into an ice block sleeping aboard Little Dragon. This weekend it was again chilly at night but I was well prepared with masses of bedding and stayed warm as toast. In the early morning while I was sitting on the veranda eating my muesli a sea eagle swooped down to the water just in front of me. Magnificent.