There was a constant flow of parents and students on and off the water at Port Denison Sailing Club in Bowen on Sunday with a full schedule of activities.
First up ten Little Pirates went for a fun buddy sail on the Qubes with Green Fleeter Georgia and Laser sailor Luke Austin to get used to sailing further from shore and use their boat terminology. Luke, who grew out of the Optimists and has now taken up Laser sailing, is always full of good conversation and often assists the Pirates lessons.
Although sailing in a tiny Qube not suited to his size, 16-year-old Luke brought his sense of fun to the activity and had to sail with his legs over the side, much to the amusement of onlookers and his Little Pirate crew!
Following them, seven Big Pirates met an amazing milestone today with each taking the helm and demonstrating sailing unassisted between points.
Parents and volunteering club members acted as human marker buoys to which to sail, giving encouragement and assistance with tacking or gybing if necessary.
The sense of achievement was felt by all, and Instructor Gary was very pleased with the progress of the entire group.
Due to the location and sandy beachfront, PDSC has the unique ability to nurture young sailors to confidence in the warm and clear shallow waters and allow parents and guardians to be as up and close to the action as they like with the opportunity to assist with lessons and learn about sailing at the same time as the children.
The activities for youth members didn’t end with the Pirates programmes however, with a big thank you to Instructor Faraday Rosenburg and her son Reid Martin for taking Green Fleeter sailors Felix and Georgia out to sharpen their tacking skills and play a game of follow the leader complete with colourful balloons tied to their sterns! Dennis Winstanley gave lessons to Alice and Liam on the windsurfer, making the most of the calm conditions to make good progress, and the Club’s three teen sailors in Lasers, Luke, Zanda and Cooper, also had an extended session with Coach Gary in the more open waters of the bay to finish up the day’s sailing.
The canteen did a roaring trade on sausage rolls, hot Airlie Pies and icy poles all day. The many activities on and off the water work seamlessly together at PDSC due to the unwavering assistance of the Club volunteers, instructors, parents and the super Committee members. Thank you to all for making another wonderful Club day at Port Denison Sailing Club.
Next Sunday is Off Beach Racing for all classes of dinghy so sailors are encouraged to revise their starting sequences and rules and be ready for some racing action! Please see the PDSC Facebook page for further information.
