I truly am a lucky sailing chix. Over the weekend I got to spend the entire two days on the water at two pretty awesome clubs.
The first one being Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Saturday. Dad asked me to come out on the Start boat. Not only to learn a little more watching him as the club PRO but also to take a million photos on a perfect blue sky day. The Harbour really put on a show. In Middle Harbour you could see the bottom as it was crystal clear water on a perfect 15 knot day. I was so very lucky to be able to spend the day taking photos on a day like this. Plus I got to see the first race of the season and where everyone was at.
I then got the chance to drive Hugh George again and learn how to pick up the marks after the race. This was something new to me on such a large start boat. It was great to have the clubs two RO’s onboard to help me learn this skill and how the boat likes to operate. So big thanks to Dad and Steve for that one.
On the way back in the crew were letting me know to slow down as they had seen a windsurfer in a little distress. I let Dad take the helm for this one as we got the poor shaking guy and his board onboard and delivered him back to Balmoral. Poor guy really was in a state and I am glad we saw him before he ended up in the main harbour. He was already near Middle Head and heading his way out there. When we got back to the club the preso was done and people were already heading home. What a long day on the water!
Sunday I had to deliver some parts to friends of mine at Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club. When I got there for their first Learn To Sail morning session there were kids EVERYWHERE! I mean EVERYWHERE! It could have been the amazing weather, the impact of the Olympics or the family atmosphere at that club. It was an amazing day as the kids from the club took out a new kid each to give them a go and Rhys, Greg, Ian, Ian and I manned the Rescue boats also towing them out with out sails up to learn how to balance in a boat and steer. What an amazing effort by everyone! Pam and Andy could be seen taking people out in Herons at the same time! EVERYONE from the club was busy and helping out somewhere. Things then changed back to a bit of normal as we headed out for the junior sailing session. Gee joined me in the RIB to do some coaching as Greg jumped in the start boat. She did a fantastic job in particular coaching her little Junior States Crew around the course when the breeze kicked in a little.
In the afternoon I was leaning towards heading home to do some work on the website. My friends informed me I could not go to work as I was in the RIB for that afternoon. I must say I was not really going to say no on such a beautiful day.