We were so lucky with the weather this morning. Even though it is early in Spring, the weather is very mild, and the cool southerly breeze is just perfect for sailing with our participants this morning.
Our early birds arrive quite promptly, so that by 9.00 a.m., we have 5 303’s on the water, and Charlies Chariot has been picked up.
The training we carried out last Saturday has been extremely useful, so that each person as they arrived was confident of rigging a boat, or helping with the final touches. The crew who went down to the pontoon dropped them all in, adding rudders and keels, then up on deck for a final briefing before the new volunteers were taken for a sail while waiting for our first group of participants; Eddie, James, Laragh, Kyle, Jasper and Dylan with helpers Maria, Monika, Amy and Nanako from Fisher Rd.
These children were swiftly accommodated into boats, with Jasper and Dylan taken for a special treat in Charlie’s Chariot with teachers Maria and Nanako.
They really had a lovely long sail, as the next group were a little later than expected. Jackson Alastair, Joshua and Alessandro were fitted into boats and went for a sail. Santosa, Wu and Disha, their carers, watched from the side. After driving all the way from Ashfield, it was no wonder they needed a little rest and respite while their charges were on the water, and all behaved charmingly.
Elias, Millie, Peter and Brodie arrived next with Aran and Mitch from French’s Forest and St Ives. Because of the high calibre of our volunteers, we were able a pack everything away efficiently and finish the morning a little early. A real drem of a day. Thank you so much to the volunteers today: Sailing Coordinator; Brian, Pontoon Manager; Malcolm, Power Boat Driver; John W, observer; Corey, Photographer; John P, Time Keeper; Ray, Registrar; Helen,
Sailors; Ivan, John G, Denis, David, Col. Other helpers were Allison, Warwick, Marc, a shortened crew who worked so efficiently we did not realise how short-handed we were.
A sad note to end on today. Corey, who has been with us at Sailability Manly for many years as Observer, spare Power Boat License holder, radio operator, constant helper and Volunteer of the Year, 2015 is leaving us for greener pastures. Good luck, Corey, we wish you success wherever you turn up next.
