Conclusion of training 2013

Trainees were split into three teams and asked to take four items from the boatshed to the other side of the Friarton Bridge. The snag was that they had to sail to four buoys to pick a card which told them what those objects were before they could collect them.
The items ranged from a sunhat and a shackle pin to a rope with a named knot in it which they had to tie themselves. The unlucky team had to bring a plastic chair! Not the handiest thing to carry in a fifteen foot boat. All managed to achieve their tasks but team yellow sailing Kelpie got there first in a little over 16 minutes. Well done Charlie and Jim assisted by instructor Oliver.
The others also warrant congratulation as conditions were difficult and nobody fell in (during the contest at least. We hope you all enjoyed the past few weeks and hope you will continue to build on your experience.
Thanks to all who helped make this a successful course.

Indoor sailing

Perth Leisure Pool allowed us in early on Sunday morning to do capsize practice as part of the training course. It certainly made things more pleasant then the waters of the Tay.

Four days this week teaching sailing has seen improvements all round in our novices boat handling. Everyone has tried gybing, recovering a man overboard, and a few have ditched their instructor and still come back to tell the tale.

Light winds meant that the Newburgh race planned for Sunday 9th June only got as far as Tofthill in an hour and a half when race officer Bill Inches stopped it. Even though the wind had increased, the leaders had completed less than one third of the distance while some of the eight strong fleet were a long way behind. Unfortunately the start which is governed by the time of the tide, was much later in the day than we usually pick so it would have resulted in a very late return had we allowed it to continue.
Most boats did manage to return to Lairwell under sail in the easterly wind at least.

Early learning

We all have to learn and the start of June heralds the start of Perth Sailing Club's course for beginners. Beautiful sunshine and a light breeze greeted the novices of all ages and varying experience all keen to learn how a sailing boat works. Over the next few weeks, we hope they all succeed and find out that Ratty was telling the truth about messing about in boats.