So this week I learnt the art of standing on water, this was not by choice and certainly not under professional supervision, this was thanks to the audacious daredevils to which I had to share a boat. No longer was I safely in a Pacer being cautious and studious with Jane, this week the instructors shook things up a bit and had the class sailing in the Precisions in teams of three.

They don’t look scary and with a weighted centre-board, the chance of tipping a Precision is slim to none – unless of course you are sailing with Rick and Frankie. Whilst we didn’t actually capsize, when the sails skimmed across the water I was convinced that this was going to be a cold and wet end to the afternoon.
As with last week, Chris and Mike (a new instructor for the group) laid out a basic triangle course. This seemed simple enough, after a few laps the wind died and Rick, Frankie and Myself spent a good half hour or so just floating and sunbathing. Despite the lack of wind, Frankie managed to direct us the whole way around the course – albeit very slowly. We found that quite impressive actually.

Then, when I was finally hot, tired and ready to head back in for lunch, the wind picked up. Now, somewhere along the line during the ‘Introduction to Sail’ course, Rick had picked up the art (or nerve) to tip the boat on its side and with absolutely no troubles he had Frankie joining in on the fun. With what little wind we had, the boys had us racing around the course, sails skimming the water and they were hanging over the other side keeping the boat balanced – I was cowering in the front holding on for dear life. Oh how I longed for the safe little sailing Jane and I had managed! However despite the terror, it was actually amazingly fun and got the adrenaline pumping. I think I was more concerned about getting my hair wet than any real worry about tipping the boat and face planting on Waterloo Bay.

Then when I had finally gotten the nerve up to stand alongside the boys and hang out of the boat, the instructors called for an end to our adventure. It was lunch time. Relief, disappointment and elation were all running through me. Being towed back into the harbour I was thinking that I was really quite glad I was with the boys and had that little adventure. Worst case scenario is that I end up wet, and thanks to the boys, I think that helped me overcome a little nervous energy I still had built up.

After lunch we had our theory period, this class was to explain about reading the weather, Marina signs, General boating signs and tides and currents. Not the most thrilling or exciting theory, but after my adventure walking on water, it was a nice, slow wind down to the day.

Sailing in the Precisions was a total change; I had finally built up my confidence with the Pacer’s and was fairly certain I was capable to pass the exam. Now with a much larger craft to control – I felt like I was back to square one, at least I had the boys with me – who despite their daredevil tricks – managed to be a fabulous crew and help me get the nerve back to skipper in a Precision and were sweet enough not to yell at me when I buggered it up the first few times.

The fun thing I have found with sailing is (dorky as it sounds) teamwork, I have found that the instructors can tell me everything in the class and yell it across the water, however in the end it is just you and your crew. It’s a test of your trust and ability to work with your team to get the boat moving on course and while I still feel like a novice, come next week and the exam – it’s my confidence and my team that will make sure I get my certificate at the end.