21/09/2026
Saturday 19th September was the first day of our RYA level 2 Basic Skills course. The previous course had been cancelled due to lack of wind. This weekend's course was close to being cancelled for too much wind! With a forecast of winds of 30mph, gusting 45, the plan for the day was rapidly revised.
Six keen sailors arrived at 1000 and the morning was spent going through the theory parts of the course. After lunch, with no signs of the wind abating we decided to do practical capsize drills. Two RS Zests were tethered to the slip way and two at a time the sailors practised capsizing, righting and getting back into the dinghy - this was to be good practice for the Sunday sailing session. Once everyone was back inside the club house, changed and dry there was another hour of theory.
Sunday morning arrived with slightly less wind (20mph, gusting 32) and a huge swell in the main bay. Fortunately, the wind direction was such that inside the harbour conditions were fine to allow us to sail. Four RS Zests and two Toppers were launched and the morning was spent zipping backwards and forwards in the confines of the harbour. There were a few capsizes, but the training from the day before paid off.
After lunch a course was laid around three buoys and the sailors practised their tacking and gybing. More capsizes, but still smiles all round. Eventually, it was time to come in, derig and final debriefs and presentations of certificates.
Michael, Ndurie, Isla and Zoe all gained their level 2 certificates. Laura and Rachel are coming back in a few days' time to complete their course when the winds are less challenging.
The weekend would not have been possible without the support from Duncan, Morven, Janet and Jean.
Roger
