Tackers Sail Training Program Melbourne Victoria Australia
Program 1, Week 3, 28 February 2009
Well we had both wind and waves this week and the weather was cooler so it was time to wear a wetsuit to keep warm. We missed you Bella and we hope you are coming back next week!
Thanks for your help this week
Martin on the simulator, Grant, Richard, Debra and Campbell with the boats, Sue on the BBQ. Thanks also to other Mordialloc Sailing Club members who are always volunteering around the club in many roles - how many Commodores would you see cleaning the windows each week?
Anxious faces
After getting changed and putting on life jackets, it was time to run through some basics about sailing next to the rigged boats in front of the clubhouse.
Everyone chose a partner and skippers and crews were selected. Hamish and Andy organised two rubby duckies out on the water and put up two buoys to sail between.
Some Tackers could not believe that they were actually going out on the water this time - together! Your main priorities were
. to push the tiller to change direction (tack not gybe)
. watch out for other boats
. put the rudder and centreboard down as soon as possible and bring them up when coming back to shore
It was time to really listen carefully to avoid capsizing (although as we learnt last week, that can be a lot of fun - you just get WET).
Boat ramp
As we went down the boat ramp, there were a few boats that did not have the main sheet let out so the boats tried to sail off the trolleys! Remember to let out your ropes and try and have the boat facing into the wind as much as possible.
Waves are WET
Well each boat was supervised by an adult and we all tried to get the boats past the waves on the shore. However, as the wind was not that strong and the boats quickly filled up with water, we decided to come back in.
Martin Sly sailed one of the Opti's around to the creek to see if we could try sailing on the flat water however the wind was coming from the wrong direction - so that didn't work either.
Deciding to sail or not
This is an important concept when sailing. You do need to consider the weather and wave conditions - both when you go out and what is forecast whilst you are on the water. We were aware that the wind would gain in strength later in the morning, so that is why we went out early.
However, when we realised that the conditions were not suitable for us, we came in. At all times, we do what is safe as you are all learning to sail and we want you to have FUN (and get WET).
Wash down and pack up
Although the Tackers Program was not finished, it was still necessary to wash down the boats and life jackets, remove the rudder, centreboard, bailing bucket and paddle and stow the boats and equipment back in the shed.
(By the way, as we were all wet, there are no photos of us on the water this week).
Virtual reality - simulated sailing
Martin Sly is not a man who likes to give up - so he set up the sailing simulator in the clubhouse.
Did you know that this very expensive piece of equipment is one of only a few in the WORLD? It is a great training tool for world class sailors who set their course and try and beat their best time.
Simulated sailing is very different!
. you don't get wet
. you don't feel the breeze
. the boat does not move up and down over waves
. you don't capsize (except on screen!)
. you don't have to watch out for the boom
. you don't have to watch out for other boats (unless they are on the course)
. you don't have to wear a wetsuit, a lifejacket etc
. all sorts of people standing next to you can give you instructions (sometimes too many!)
Anyway, everyone had an opportunity to try the sailing simulator and learn how to manage the tiller and the main sheet at the same time whilst crossing over to the other side of the boat. It is a lot of fun - and don't worry about those people watching on the sidelines, they watch because they are interested!
Do you remember the order when you change sides on the boat?
. leg, bottom, rope and tiller behind your back, sit down, swap hands
Do you remember the grip on the main sheet and the tiller?
. thumb forward, hand over the top
Do you remember the direction of the wind and the sailing terms?
. front of the boat - upwind (or to windward)
. side of the boat - reach
. behind the boat - downwind (or run)
Do you remember which is fast, medium and slow and what it is called when you change direction?
. upwind - slow - tack by pushing the tiller
. reach - fast - tack to broad, beam or close reach by pushing the tiller
. downwind - gybe by pulling the tiller
Do you remember why the gybe is so tricky?
. the boom goes a long way across the boat from far out on one side to far out on the other side
. as the boom comes across, the boat is more likely to be unstable and capsize
. to control it a bit more you can pull in the main sheet and slowly release it as you gybe and try and centre yourself in the middle of the boat
BUT if you are the skipper, YOU MUST TELL YOUR CREW when you are going to tack or gybe so that they can stay below the BOOM.
Morning tea
This was held around the simulator - remember to bring your own fruit to share each week. Someone got hold of my camera and took some close up shots of the Tackers.
Exercise and stretching
Andy took some of you out and about around the club to do some stretching exercises suitable for sailing. We will be starting off with exercises in next week's program.
Art work
Some other Tackers worked in groups to draw the parts of the boat, the sailing course and safety issues. There were a few other pictures on these posters too - pretty gruesome actually - but still FUN.
Sausage sizzle
Sue Sly organised the sausage sizzle this week - thanks Sue! Do we have a volunteer for next week?
Wetsuits and fingerless gloves
Although several wetsuits were brought down to the club and I have asked for a few more donations, if you have your own wetsuit, please bring this with you each week now as the weather has been cooler recently.
You may also like to visit a bike shop or sailing shop and buy some fingerless gloves. These can be helpful if you are holding on to the main sheet for a long time and they will give your hands some extra protection when they are wet.
Alternatively, you can buy a small pair of rubber gloves and cut off the top end of the fingers (before you put them on!!!).
Life Jackets
You all have your own number now - so please remember to rinse it off and hang it on the fence to dry before you leave the club.
Getting to Know Your Club
We had a few kids and parents at this special event and I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet other club members. There are some people looking out for a crew member on their boat. Remember that this is something you can aim for after completing the Tackers program.
Most sailors really learn a lot about sailing through an experienced skipper. As you get better and learn more, then you can aim to be a skipper - either on your own in an Opti or Sabot or in your own boat with another person as crew.
Phone Calls
It was really great to talk to you all over the phone last week. Remember that you can contact Sue Ellson at any time to discuss the Tackers Sail Training Program.
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
. a wetsuit or some warmer clothes to wear and a spray jacket
. fingerless gloves (if you can)
Wind, rain or cooler weather
The Tackers Sail Training will be on each week - even if the weather is windy, cool or raining!
If it is not suitable to go sailing on the water, we will still do other activities on the beach and in the clubhouse so that you can continue to learn how to sail.
We want you to have time with the boats and have FUN.
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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