It was quite difficult to relate the forecast this morning with what was actually happening. We decided to go ahead with sailing because everything looked fine at 8.30 a.m., despite the wind forecast trying to tell us that it was blowing at 15 knots, and that it would rise to 20 knots later in the day. We were expecting students from Royal Far West, Truscott St and Freshwater High, who have not sailed for a while, so it was thought that to go ahead would be fine, and that we could always stop if the conditions became too difficult. It would have been terrible to cancel, because we did manage to get all of the children sailing, either out on the open water early in the day, and later on, in the quieter waters close to the beach at Manly Cove.
Helpers this morning were: Barry, Denis, Malcolm, Warwick, Helen, Ralph, Col, Allison, Ray, Peter, Jim G and Jim Y, Ivan, Tony, Ken, Marc, Michael, Georges, David W and David G, Helene, Kye. Thank you so much to Kye, who came as a visitor, and ended up as helper supreme, as well as photographer.
The weather was perfect for sailing for our Far West Students: Emma-Lee, David, Jack, Anna, Jessica, Ashleigh, and Lachlan, who came with helper, Lisa. Jessica was a little scared at the beginning, but did manage a few minutes on the water before asking to be returned to shore. Not bad for someone who had been telling everyone how terrified she was just a few moments before.
By the time the Truscott St children had arrived, it was definitely too windy for the open water, so our obliging helpers retreated to the calmer waters close to the beach for these smaller children: Rizwan, Lliam, Ruby, Sion, Riarna, Annabelle, Jazmine, Ethan, Tazmira, Tsz Yu Au, Jin, Samantha, Syel, Mustapha, Ricky. Mustapha wanted the car-seat, Ruby and Rizwan went on Mum’s lap, and the rest of the gang just sat nicely , some with cushions to hold them upright.
Freshwater High kids were perfectly behaved while they waited their turn, and we commend them for their patience. Next time, they are first off the blocks, so there will be no waiting time. Jordan and David looked to be having lots of fun doing donuts around the moored boats.
Lynette and Denis decided to brave the open water, dashing around the fixed buoys and managing to absolutely swamp the dinghy while attempting a double-tacking manoeuvre. It showed just how these boats can manage to sail perfectly well when full of water to the gunnels. Denis and Lynette did not realise that they would be sailing in a swimming pool on the way back, but both laughed it off as all part of the Sailability Adventure.
