Sailing, it’s not easy!

Having written at length about sailing over the last few months, I thought it about time I actually did some. Joe (ex-Royal Navy) and I signed up for a four week introductory class, run through the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club (AYSC) by instructor, William Ferguson. Little did we know what we were letting ourselves in for!

AYSC Instructor William Ferguson teaching

For a start there was rigging to work out. Now, I ask you, how on earth were we supposed to remember which rope went where and which colour did what? There were so many to choose from and a kaleidoscope of colours to dazzle our eyes, it was a wonder we did any more than stand bemused on our first session!

Then there were the sails. I know there are only two on our little two-man Laser 420, but why can’t they be the ‘Big’ and ‘Small’ sails?’ We found that sailing meant learning a new language. So, ‘Main’ and ‘Jib’ are now a part of our vocabulary.

There were three of us in the first class; an awkward number for a two person craft. So, while Joe and John got to know their boat, I ended up crewing for William. I learnt as I went along and ended up with aching muscles from our numerous ‘tacks’ (more foreign lingo), or changes of direction, as I enthusiastically hauled on the jib lines. I was initiated into the mysteries of ‘hiking’ or leaning out over the side to balance the boat, and had fun on the water. Of course, my skipper had all the work to do and years of experience with which to do it! Joe and John on the other hand, learnt other skills. They found that there is an air pocket in the upturned cockpit of a Laser, which is handy when you do not get out of the way fast enough as the boat capsizes. They also had a crash course in how to right the craft when it goes over and learnt never, ever, to let the boat go when it is righted, as it tends to sail off without its crew. Joe had bruises on his bruises that first session!

The following week we were like puppies in a new world; full of beans. This time there were only two of us, as John was still getting over the previous week’s trials and was coughing well. Joe and I were to sail together. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my husband but I have found over time, and we have been married for twenty five years, that teamwork is not our forte. We each have our own agenda and forget to tell the other ‘team member’ what that agenda is. So it was with our sailing. Joe was to be Captain. I was to be Crew. I know my place in the world. I am a girl. It’s a man’s world. Before feminists bombard me with hate mail, I will hasten to add that I was anxious to share my new found ‘crew experience’ with my ‘team.’ Besides, Joe was cooking tea that night.
Off we went, wending our way through the boats moored in Road Bay, each hoping we did not hit them, or if we did, that no one would notice. Joe soon decided that I should be skipper. He had no clue what a skipper should do but had firsthand experience of righting a capsized boat. This proved useful. I must admit to using very unladylike language when I found out how hard it is to get back into the boat! In the end though, we managed to fly along, so long as we stayed in a straight line...

Week three came after a break so Joe could complete his Advanced Diver Certificate, which he passed with flying colours. More students had joined the course while we had the week off, so we had three boats out. We were rusty. Joe wanted to crew. So I had to skipper. Oh dear! I could not steer to save my life. We ended up in ‘irons’ or headed into the wind so the boat just sits and does nothing and I could not think how to rescue us. Everything I tried sent us in a circle, back to where we started. Added to this, the boom, holding the main sail, kept swinging around and literally bashing me on the head. After 8 times, not only was I seeing stars, but I had had enough. I must have said this very loudly once too often, as Will arrived on his dinghy and swapped me for young Rumple, one of the AYSC’s finest sailors. He and Joe effortlessly sailed off into the bay, while I nursed my aching head on the beach.

Week four and we both wondered what was in store for us. This week we were split up and each ended up with a team mate who got it! Nadine managed to sail the boat in a straight line and then to tack without sending us into the water, and Allan and Joe zoomed about the bay as if they owned it. Joe was very pleased to report that for two weeks running he had not been dunked once!

So, what has this initiation into sailing taught us? The old cliché about ‘practice makes perfect’ comes to mind. It is true of many things and sailing is no exception. As William says, ‘If it is hard to do, you are doing it wrong.’ I think I personally found all the really difficult ways to sail a boat that I could think of. I am only human and being dunked and battered are things I would not usually opt for. When we got it right, and we did occasionally, zooming along through the water was not just fun but brought great satisfaction in mastering something difficult. We are now looking forward to sailing to Sandy Island for a party. Now that should prove interesting!

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