When
was the last time you did something for the first time? I ask myself that
question periodically and it leads to all sorts of adventures. A few weeks ago
it took me sailing for the first time and I loved it.
Anticipation
A
friend’s chatter had meant I had been looking forward to the prospect of
getting into sailing. Having worked as a dive instructor for years, and also on
yachts, I knew my way around boats but knew very little about actually sailing
so this was a new experience for me. Of course, on the day the sailing season
opened it pissed with rain all morning. I gazed out at where the ocean used to
be and wondered if I was really going to enjoy the afternoon on the (alarmingly)
high seas.
The
weather eased up a bit and, after some Official Opening pomp and ceremony at
the Yacht Club, we headed out to the marina. It felt great to be on a dock
again. I realised how much I have missed the quiet of marinas. They are wonderful
places where you notice the sound of waves lapping gently against fixtures and
birds overhead.
Onboard
the 40ft sailboat that I had kindly been invited to join for the afternoon I
stowed my bag in a cabin and was offered some waterproof clothing. In order to
put the waterproof trousers on I sat on a wooden seat inside the boat and
realised I had sat in a puddle, not the best start. I abandoned the trousers
but was grateful for the jacket as the wind was biting.
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| Sailing the Great Southern Ocean, Australia |
Racing
After
some time cruising around the bay getting sails up and lines sorted we headed
to the start point of the race with the three other boats taking part. A siren
sounded and we were off. In 28-knot winds we dashed across the bay. As we
tacked the boat lurched at about a 70-degree angle to the sea. I took my soggy
arse from one side of the boat to the other each time and clung on tight as the
water hurtled past. Watching two other vessels put up kites and get hurled to a
90 degree angle for their troubles made me glad we hadn’t tried that.
My
first sailing experience was a brilliant one. Not only was it super exciting
because of the somewhat intense weather, the boat I was on won the race! I
hadn’t contributed much to the glorious win obviously, but I was happy to be
trying and learning something new. I enjoyed being on the water again, noticing
the marine wildlife that you don’t see so frequently from shore and seeing town
from the bay.
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| Sailors! |
Subsequent
trips have been in warmer and gentler weather conditions. It is never
unexciting though. There have been a lot of reports of Great White Sharks in
the local waters recently and last week we squeezed a minor collision into the
race too. Fortunately there was no significant damage to either craft.
So,
when was the last time you did something for the first time, and what did you
do?
