A quiet day today, with everyone working really well together to make it a good one.
Our helpers were: Sailing Coordinator, Eli; Pontoon Manager, Judy; Support Boat Driver, Max; learner driver, Brian; Observer, Corey; Registrar, Helen and Kandy; Boat Operations Manager, David Goldner; Time Keeper, Ella.Photo of Ella keeping time,
Our sailors were; Ivan, John M, Denis, David Grinston, Didi, David W, Michael P.
The morning started with a brisk South Westerly, forcing some sailors to start with sails furled. It wasn’t long before the wind reduced, so that all sails were unfurled. We made a pretty picture as we made our way across the ferry lane towards North Harbour.
Helpers on the deck and pontoon: Tony, Konrad, Michael B, John C, Alan Sue, Philip, Karen, and Helen were kept busy with a number of small groups arriving continuously from 9.30 a.m. until 11.30. Slotted between our participants with support needs, we gave our helpers an opportunity for a practice sail. I am pleased to report that Karen and Michael B are very close to becoming competent sailors. It will only take a session or two of sailing solo, and we will have another two trained sailors able to take our sailors with different abilities for a sail in most conditions.
People who enjoyed the day out on the water were Leesa, John, Ellias, Jamie from MAPS St Ives, with helper Dylan. Susan, Simone, Riad, Les, Oliver arrived next, Oliver and Simone, to just sit and enjoy the atmosphere,and Les to continue his recovery process from a bad cold. Jonny was the helper for this group. Lars and Sue brought Luca,Photo of Susanna is helping Luca into the boat, then Rodney, Ben, Ginny, Adonis, Luke, David, Harry and Vanessa arrived from Sunnyfield with helpers Lauren and Regina. Philip arrived with Mum, Lillian, then Jessika and Sophie were the last to arrive, with helpers Tracey and Sarah. There was a little bit of juggling with the special car-seat, as neither Jessika nor Philip can sail without it. Jessika won the tussle for first use, as she needed to leave on time, while Philip was happy to sail the whole afternoon long, if the helpers were willing.
By the time we were into the afternoon, all 303’s were stowed away ready for future use, except for Dolly Wallis with Ivan and David W as crew,Photo of Philip is sailing solo Alan Wood, with Philip as crew,Photo of The boats are dancing Charlie’s Chariot with the video cam wielding Peter, driver Judy and Eli as observer.
Philip had a ball, ducking and weaving across the cove, with David and Ivan giving instructions from Dolly Wallis, and Charlie’s Chariot tying to stay within photographing distance, but stay out of the way of both boats. It was a Dinghy Dance, or Boat Ballet, whichever you want to call it. Hopefully, we will be able to download this little movie on to the web, so that everyone can see it. It was with a great sense of satisfaction that we regretfully made our way back across the ferry lane, with the prospect of 4 of us putting away the three boats we needed. Thankfully, Didi and David had waited to help, so the job was done efficiently.
A most satisfying day indeed for all of us.
