Tackers Sail Training Program Melbourne Victoria Australia
Program 1, Week 2, 22 February 2009
As you came down the laneway to the club this week you would have noticed very different weather conditions!
It was overcast, there were waves on the beach and a much stronger breeze and it was quite a bit cooler than last week.
Welcome to new Tackers
We started in the Long Room and welcomed three new participants, Ruby, Nicola and Alexandra and an extra volunteer Dad, Brendan.
Revision
It was time to remember what everyone likes and do some revision of what we learnt last week:
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Keep your fingers in the boat (especially when you are near other boats)
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Must wear a life jacket
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Must wear shoes
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Don't go near the rocks
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The Optimist Boats will not sink
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Don't pull the corks out when you are in the water
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PFD - has a collar to keep you upright in the water
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Turning the boat all the way over is not just a capsize but a 'turtle'
Boat parts
Then we talked about some of the boat parts we learnt last week - rudder (for steering), stern (back of the boat), bow (front of the boat), starboard (right hand side of the boat), port (left side of the boat), centreboard (also called a dagger board, put in the middle of the boat).
Basic concepts of sailing
We then went through some of the basic concepts of sailing. This was the first time we really discussed the concepts of the wind direction, moving the boat and when to be extra careful.
In short summary, on the first leg of our triangle, where the wind was coming in front (also called windward), we learnt that you have to tack and to turn the boat, you need to push the tiller. This is the slowest leg of the course. The boom is well inside the boat.
On the second leg of our triangle, when the wind was coming over the side of the boat (also called a reach), we learnt that you usually steer straight to the next marker and that this is the fastest leg of the course. The boom is roughly half way out.
On the third leg of our triangle, when the wind was coming from behind the boat (also called downwind), we learnt that you need to pull the tiller to do a gybe (which is very dangerous because the boom goes from all the way out on one side of the boat to all the way out on the other side of the boat). This is the medium speed leg of the course but it is also the time when most boats capsize.
New rule - down the boat ramp, life jacket must be ON
It was then time to fit our life jackets because we have a new rule during Tackers training - if you go down the boat ramp, you must have a life jacket on.
Sailing on the sand
We had three boats rigged up and three markers/cones on the sand. As the dredging boat had been working recently, there was a lot of sludgy 'quick' sand around and a big pipe on our beach (which was a bit distracting and some Tackers got really sandy - oooh, gooey mud - yuk!).
Anyway, we had Dads holding the front of the boats on trailers and we pretended to sail the boats on the trailers around the triangle course. It was the first time many Tackers saw the boom come across the boat (fortunately everyone ducked their heads so no-one got hurt!).
Hamish and Andy reminded us that to stop the boat, you need to steer into the wind and the boom will go into the middle of the boat and the sail will flap around and make a lot of noise.
All of our Tackers had a turn sitting in the 'land' boats and had a chance to pretend steering and I am sure the Dad's were worn out changing directions and going over all the bumps on the sand - ouch!
Morning tea
It was then time to have morning tea on the upper deck - some nice fruit that we all shared. Then we had a reminder about applying more sunscreen, having a drink and visiting the bathroom before getting wet. We then discussed our next two drills.
Drill one - putting the centreboard and rudder down and then up on our own
Half the group started with going out in the boat on their own (being towed by an adult out to sea and without the mast) and had the experience of putting both the rudder down and the centreboard down and then getting pulled back in to shore and pulling the centreboard and the rudder up.
It was a pretty hairy experience as there were a lot of waves and it was a really wild ride! The boats quickly filled up with water thanks to the waves coming over the front of the boat so everyone got really WET.
Drill two - capsizing
The other drill was to practice capsizing. Although the wind was not that strong, we still had to get past the waves and into water deep enough for the centreboard to go down and for the boat to be turned over and brought back up again.
Some Tackers went out to capsize with a ride in the rubber ducky and others were taken out with some of the volunteer Dads (including our new recruit Grant - thanks!) and Hamish.
Some Tackers were a bit nervous about capsizing, but we learnt that it is just a natural part of sailing and another opportunity to get WET! Putting your weight on the centreboard will bring it up and at all times, you must stay with your boat and not go under either the boat or the sail.
Call for help
If in distress, we learnt to put up both hands to call for some help.
Some Tackers finished the drills first and whilst some Tackers were waiting, we saw lots of Tackers playing with the sand/mud again and enjoying the surf whilst wearing a life jacket.
However, some Tackers started to get VERY COLD. Therefore, we do recommend that you bring along warm clothing (polyester/nylon or wool - not cotton) next week - or if you have one, a wetsuit. You can also wear a spray jacket or light rain coat. If you do get cold, you need to have a warm shower as soon as possible - just let your instructors know.
Pack up
It was then time to wash the boats and life jackets and pack up. Thanks again to our Dads - Richard, Peter, Sean, Brendan and Grant. Remember that part of sailing is packing up so ALL TACKERS need to help up until 11am.
Sausage sizzle
Debbie, one of our Mum's organised a sausage sizzle that most people enjoyed - unfortunately some of us missed out on a sausage! Thanks to Helen for your extra assistance.
Next week, Sue Sly has offered to run the sausage sizzle.
Wetsuits and extra help
We will also need help recording details of life jackets and wetsuits (as we will be bringing some extra wetsuits for those kids that do not have one and if you have a spare old one you don't want and would like to donate it to the Tackers program, please do so!).
If the stormy weather comes in on Saturday, we will have some fun playing games either on the beach or in the clubhouse.
Getting to Know Your Club this Saturday night
Don't forget that this Saturday is the 'Getting to Know Your Club' night at the Mordialloc Sailing Club so you can invite your family along and enjoy the Barbeque (bring your own meat, salads provided) from 5pm onwards. Sue Ellson will be at the club all afternoon so you are welcome to 'hang around' with your family and enjoy the beach and the clubhouse facilities.
Thanks Mums, Dads and Mordialloc Sailing Club Members
As always, thanks to our volunteer Mums and Dads and to our enthusiastic Tackers and Mordialloc Sailing Club Members!
Sue Ellson will be telephoning all Tackers this week so be ready to tell her your experiences and what else you would like to learn during the Tackers Training.
Bring next week
Please bring with you next week:
. your Tackers Hat, Shirt, Drink Bottle (with water)
. a change of clothes to wear after your shower and a towel (I suggest you wear your Tackers shirt after sailing and your rashy/wetsuit/jumper out sailing)
. shoes you can get wet (crocs, surf shoes, old runners)
. fruit to share for morning tea
. a plastic garbage bag to put your wet clothes in and a comb for your hair
. if it is cooler weather, you can bring a wetsuit or some warmer clothes to wear
If you have any questions you would like to ask or special requests - please send an email during the week.
See you bright and early at 8:30am on Saturday!
Sue, Hamish and Andy
Instructors 'Tackers' Sailing Program
Mordialloc Sailing Club
Sue Ellson
9888 6480 or 0402 243 271
sueellson@yahoo.com.au
Hamish 0448 968 085
Andy 0425 364 055
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