A blustery start

There was lots of activity at the academy too, with an Optimist training event happening over the course of the weekend.

My day started with the preparation of the equipment – the crash packs, the safety boats and the radios. Then we issued wetsuits to the OnBoard Club members and prepared to go out on the water.

We stuck to Picos with a fully reefed sail as it was so windy and we sailed very carefully in the marina area where it was a bit more sheltered.

We didn’t venture out into the open harbour, unlike the windsurfers who were blasting up and down alongside the beach road.

It was quite cold but I had prepared for that with plenty of thermals, a long wetsuit and a rashie on top. I was also christening my new O’Three boots – cheers guys – and a new pair of gloves. The kit worked well and I was surprisingly warm!

After stopping for lunch, and refuelling the Jaffa, I was looking forward to the afternoon session. Still in reefed Picos and doubled up for stability, I buddied up with Izzy for a sail around the marina on a beam reach.

All in all it was a pretty good first session, if cut short by the strength of the wind. Next week, I am doing the Power Boat 2 course at the Academy all weekend. This will be awesome and I am really looking forward to it. It will be another string to my bow and a pretty cool one at that!

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