Third Try Sailing Session at Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club

Try Sailing Session at Sutton-in-Ashfield © Dale Clarke

Try Sailing Session at Sutton-in-Ashfield © Dale Clarke

Saturday 9 July meant that is was once again time for Sutton-In-Ashfield Sailing Club's Try Sailing Session, run with The Mill. Again I was beaten by Messrs Clark & Gregory to the club when I arrived at 8:55 they had opened up and Alan had cleaned the little presents left by the local bird population from the slip way.

Although there was some wind there was also a significant amount of water falling from the sky, which was having a negative effect on the enthusiasm amongst the assembled sailors. I guessed that we would be having a quite morning.

News from The Mill – 6 signed up, we started taking bets on how many would turn up.

10am - we had four willing guests wanting to try sailing, along with a number of not so willing sailors who just kept looking at the rain. With Fish's words "It is a water sport" ringing in my ears we set about rigging boats. With one competent sailor to each guest we rigged 4 boats, one each for John T, Pete, Martin & John W. Notice I said "competent sailors" and have not included myself in the four. I thought it prudent not to sail on the back of last week's experience (see session two report...), Oh I wish I had listened to myself (see later). The four set off in what could be described in damp conditions, but should have been described as monsoon conditions. They came back sometime later wetter than if they'd sailed with me, and my lying down boat syndrome.

11.30am – We decided that no one else was going to turn up so we could get the boats off the water. I fancied a sail so asked Martin if he fancied a blast in a Vision, he had a better idea, "Let's have a round the buoys race" he said. I should have known better but off we went one vision each no crew and some gusting wind. Bet you can't guess what happened next. Anti clockwise from the club house starting at buoy 8 we approached number 7 with me feeling competitive and pushing the windward boat (Martin) up to wind and away from the mark. A quick gybe and I was away around seven and heading for six - this was quite easy and I was enjoying myself. At buoy 5, I heard a call for water, he'd caught me and was passing on the inside, well I guess my moment of glory was over. Rounding 5, onto more of a reach the wind started to gust, this was now not such fun, hiking hard there was no way I was leaning forward to set the jib. Wide past buoy 4, tightening up to a beat to take 3, tack and then beat straight for buoys 2 and then 1, I tack and Martin is in front, but I'm in luck, some small wind shifts allow me to beat straight to one without an additional tack. Rounding 1 I'm in front, hiking hard to make 9 and take the win.

Yes I know you have been waiting for it, well halfway between numbers 1 & 9 with the finish in sight I hiked a little too hard, feet slip from under the straps and yes I fell out the boat. For a few seconds I had to change sport to water skiing as the boat pulled me along by the main sheet which was wrapped around waist, but the capsize was not long in coming.

What was that I could hear? oh yes it was Martin busting a gut with laughter as he sailed by to take the finish line. To be fair he did come back to see if I was alright, but only after he had crossed the finish line.

A big thank you to the safety crew, who came to my rescue (again), one consolation being that I didn't get any guests wet this week. A great morning was had by all, even with the monsoon that descended on us. Again a big thank you to all who helped & please don't give me too much ribbing.