Sailing lessons

With Hobart being situated on the broad expanse of water where the Derwent River meets the sea, it is not surprising that there are quite a few sea scout troops scattered around its shores. One of these has a supply of “Oppies” (Optimist class sailing dinghies) that can be used for helping people learn to sail. We arranged a sailing camp one weekend where we stayed in their hall and learned something of the art of sailing.

We learned to rig the boats, but the reason that we are doing it inside is because …

outside it was blowing a gale and definitely not safe for sailing.

“Skip” took the kids for some theory (apparently they knew the answer to this question!).

Fortunately the weather improved, and we were able to get out on the water.

Yours truly had a go but felt a little ungainly in a boat which is designed for youngsters to learn to sail.

The hosting Scout troop also have a couple of rigid inflatable boats that can act as support vessels; we had a bit of fun taking the kids for a spin up the channel to Margate. 

And then the kids had fun jumping off them at the end of the day.