Another Youth Sailboat Course at Highland Yacht Club

The week of 18 July to 22 July was spent at the Scarborough Bluffs Park and hosted at the Highland Yacht Club. A lot of firsts this time with HYC via a Start Keelboat Sailing course to 5 sailors through National One Design Sailing Academy on one of our Zhik Flying Tiger 7.5 metre boats.

Some of the Neat Boat Houses at Sacrborough Bluffs

The Boat Basin at HYC

Day 1

We spent the day getting to know the boat, its layout, safety equipment and what all of its parts were called. After that we did a bit a bit of maneuvering under power until it became evident that the wind was too strong to maintain control of the boat. I tried 3 times to turn the boat around and to get back to the dock.

Rigging the Boat for Departure

After lunch it was a series of chalk talks on various topics to get ready for the rest of the week on the water.

Can't Wait for the Next Chalk Talk!

Day 2

The morning session on the water had us with some good wind. The kids enjoyed the sail, especially the heeling while sailing close hauled - at least some did. We did mostly tacking drills.

Cool and Relaxed as a Cucumber!

The afternoon session was more variable with a light wind that came and went. It was the first introduction to bobbing on the water.

Sailing Like a Pro!

Day 3

Between some chalk talks we had some good steady winds. After some easy gybes in the morning, we did complete sailing circles in the afternoon. Everyone did really well.

Keeping a Good Eye on the Windex

Day 4

Today's morning session gave us a chance at doing a number of crew overboard maneuvers. We only missed on the first attempt once, every other time was done on the first go round. Well done!

The afternoon brought us some stronger winds and with low battery charges we ended up returning to dock instead of going out. It was just as well because the kids really enjoyed the rest of the afternoon doing chalk talks on various topics in support of the Basic Cruising exam that they would be writing on Friday - not!

The Local Swan Family

Day 5

It seemed like a deja-vu moment but on leaving the boat harbour through the channel - we touched bottom and got stuck momentarily - just like at ABYC. We were firmly within the buoyed channel and unlike ABYC we all felt the touch down. We throttled the engine up and forward while all getting onto the port side of the boat and moments later we were free and moving forward. Another great lesson.

I Really Like This Boat at BPYC - What is It?

Between tacks, reaches and some great last session sailing - everyone had a turn at the helm - we also did a heave-to maneuver - just to show how it was done. Really neat right?

The Bow was the Preferred Spot at Times

After lunch it was the best time of the whole week - not, again!

We reviewed our SKS Workbooks together and then some wrote the PCOC exam, after that even more fun in writing the Basic Cruising exam. Can't wait to come back next year!

De-rigging the Boat

I think everyone made some good progress over the week, we had good sailing winds pretty much the whole week, and everyone had good exposure to what sailing is all about.

Thanks to the Highland Yacht Club