Sail School 2009 began idyllically on Saturday, September 5, the first day of Tasmanian school holidays.

As the sun shone down on Hobart and a snow-capped Mount Wellington, 130 excited youngsters and their parents gathered at 10 am on the Derwent Sailing Squadron lawns at Sandy Bay for the four-day event.

For 40 nervous eight to 12 years olds, it was to be their first experience of sailing.

For the rest of the group - who ranged from highly-experienced teenagers to young ones who only started sailing a year ago with the Dinghy Group – it was a chance to renew old friendships after the winter break.

Dozens of white Sabot sails of both Club-owned and private boats fluttered on the lawn alongside Lasers and the brightly coloured little Optimists borrowed from Kingston Sailing School for the event, as Commodore Peter Geeves of the DSS and Vice Commodore Murray Jones of the RYCT officially welcomed the participants to Sail School 2009.

The group then divided into Senior, Intermediate and Beginner divisions with their own coaches and support boat crews, and spread across various venues at both the DSS and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

After months of planning, organisation and anticipation, Sail School 2009 was underway at last.

• The Dinghy Group is a joint venture between the Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS) and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT). Sail School is held every year in the first four days of school holidays, while weekly Dinghy Group training begins on Saturday, October 10 this year for all levels.

Saturday, September 5

After the official opening, the Beginner level of about 50 newcomers to sailing and less experienced youngsters split into three smaller groups, led by Scott Price, Tim Gourlay, and Adrian Beswick.

The focus for the first day of Sail School was a safe, non-threatening and fun introduction to sailing for our new young sailors.

All kitted out in their neck to ankle wetsuits, lifejackets, thermals and sailing jackets, there was much nervous laughter as they met each other for their first time, and started to learn that the parts of boats have strange names such as sheets, painters, tillers, bows and stays.

An on-ground lesson on how to rig a Sabot was followed by their first venture onto the water sitting in either a Sabot or Optimist without a sail or mast, being towed behind a rescue boat.
All of the beginners were delighted as they quickly came to grips with using a tiller and how to steer a dinghy, with the kids being swapped in and out of the support boats so all could have a go.

It was fantastic for the coaches to see how quickly the kids responded and picked up tips about using tiller extensions, and how to sit safely in a dinghy with a partner trimming and balancing the boat.

A quick bite of lunch was followed by much excitement as some of the more experienced “beginner” sailors” who had raced with Dinghy Group last year took newcomers out one by one for their first real sail in a Sabot.

For some it was more exciting than intended, when some gusty squalls came through and tipped some beginners into the cold Derwent!

But all reacted marvellously, with most seemingly more excited than scared by their first “bottling” and pleased to have a tale to tell that night when they went home.

It was particularly pleasing to see all of the kids who did capsize remembering their first lesson - “Don’t Panic” - and then staying with the Sabot to help right it as the support boats came alongside to assist.

But most rewarding of all was to see the smiles on the faces of so many newcomers to sailing at the end of the first day’s “debriefing session”, as they enthusiastically waved goodbye and said happily “See you tomorrow!”

Sunday, September 6

Another fabulously sunny day for Sail School, although with a little less wind than on Saturday.

Some arrived early for the Fathers’ Day breakfast, with much laughter and fun had by all enjoying the early morning barbeque on the DSS lawn.

Boats were quickly rigged – this time with many beginners helping rather than looking on in bewilderment – and it was great to see all the kids who have sailed before helping their new friends literally learn the ropes.

As the seniors and intermediates headed off with their coaches, Richard Scarr, Pip Calvert and Karyn Gojnich down the Derwent, the beginners divided up again into two groups.

For the more experienced there was time to either practice sailing two-handed “sausages” around marker buoys just off the club wharf, or for spot of deliberate capsizing practise.

For the raw beginners, it was a chance to sail “two-handed” in the Optimists and Sabots and slowly build their confidence.

An added bonus to the fun day was the chance for all newcomers to sail in a racing Pacer, thanks to volunteers Richard Goodfellow, Rob Virtue and Murray Jones offering to take the kids out in pairs.

The only downside was that many of the kids came back saying their didn’t want to sail Sabots any more but wanted to move straight onto the feisty Pacers!

That evening at 5pm, our B14 daredevils, Adrian Beswick and Josh Phillips, gave a talk at the RYCT about their amazing adventure earlier this year crossing Bass Strait in a 14' Skiff. Their efforts have raised an extraordinary $80,000 towards helping save the Tasmanian Devil.
Another great day was enjoyed by all.

Monday, September 7

More fine weather and a change of pace for the Beginner group.

Today was the chance not only to improve their skills on the Sabots and Optimists, but also to try sailing by themselves if they felt confident and ready.

It was great to see so many kids having a go – and everyone really out on the water enjoying themselves despite the light winds.

The speed with which these youngsters pick up advice and sailing tips is a joy to watch.

In the afternoon, some of the Club members with large keel boats had rallied around so we were able to offer everyone the chance to see what it is like to sail on a large sailing boat.

Yachts went in different directions – some under the Bridge and others across to Bellerive or down to Kingston.

Many thanks to Mick Rowley, Gavin Adamson, John Hislop, Rob Watchorn and David Short, for offering their yachts and giving the beginner group such a wonderful afternoon experience.

Tuesday, September 8

It’s the last day of sail school today and wet change has come in overnight.

Despite heavy rain - Sail School is still on.

Look forward to seeing you all at the DSS this morning, with Sail School presentations scheduled for 3.30 this afternoon. All parents, volunteers and helpers welcome to attend.