The last school holiday sail at Fingal by the Tweed Valley Sailing Club was the biggest yet with over 25 young sailors and the biggest number of teenagers so far.
A dozen boats took to the water, from classic Sabots with two small crew up to 16ft Corsairs carrying an adult and up to six kids at a time.
Everyone gets to learn how to steer and work the sails, lots of new vocabulary, and never a moment’s rest as the crew have to jump around to balance the boat when the wind picks up.
All agree the most fun is leaning right out as the boat flies along sending spray over everyone, all this only powered by the wind.
The other popular boat is the Australian made Extreme X3 – a durable plastic hull with various sail combinations to suit the crew and the conditions.
The team took a break for a sausage sizzle and refreshments and continued on after lunch so the more experienced sailors could make the most of a great breeze.
We also had a few adult beginners come down for a lesson.
Igor Prado, originally from Brazil, was a complete beginner a few months ago and after only one full-day lesson from our chief instructor John Hayward he is now taking out any boat he can get his hands on.
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