A record number of children attended the two learn to sail groups in Bowen at Port Denison Sailing Club on Sunday morning. Fourteen students in the Little Pirates group learned the parts of the boat and then played a game of ‘Sink the Boat’ on the water, followed by games on shore to learn terminology and all about the wind. Seven students who completed Little Pirates last year have continued to the Big Pirates group which runs afterwards. This week they went for a buddy sail with Green Fleeter Georgia, followed by a session on steering and using the waves for propulsion in the 15kt conditions.
Since its inception three years ago, the Little Pirates and Big Pirates programs have shown how teaching the sport of sailing differently can make a big difference to a small club. Traditionally learn to sail begins around ages seven or eight, but when faced with a great demand among young siblings and younger children, then Commodore Gary Bruce tasked instructor Johanna Winstanley with creating a new approach for PDSC. Since then, numerous children from ages four and five onwards and their families have attended lessons, graduated through Pirates and have become sailing members. The families are a mix of those with sailing backgrounds and those completely fresh to the sport.
Being totally reliant on volunteers to operate, family members assist on shore, on the water, and on the committee, and many sailing members have now qualified or requalified as instructors and assistant instructors, helping to maintain the longevity of the programs. Youth sailors are also encouraged to be on-hand role models during lessons. PDSC keeps lesson fees at a minimum to allow students from all backgrounds the chance to participate.
Anyone interested in joining Pirates at Port Denison Sailing Club is encouraged to keep an eye on the Facebook site for information about future lesson availability. Next Sunday the 25th will be off the beach racing.
Contributed with thanks to Port Denison Sailing Club.
Caption: Little Pirates play ‘Sink the Boat’ with Captain Greybeard. Photo contributed
