ANNABELLE R, YEAR 9

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This summer I decided I wanted to try and learn how to sail.  I have always loved the sea, swimming and surfing but had never been in a sailing boat before.

I joined Broxbourne sailing club, a fantastic place not too far away and signed up for lessons over the summer holidays.

I had a great teacher who over the next six weeks put me through my paces. There was a lot to learn before we could even get into the water.  Rigging the boat, checking the weather and wind direction, understanding ropes and knots.  My first lesson was completely land based. 

The next lesson I was able to put my new found knowledge into practice and set sail in a one man dinghy called a Topper.   

Luckily, it was a sunny day with not too much wind so I was able to spend a good hour and half out on the lake sailing up and down and learning to tack… which means change direction.

It was a wonderful feeling but took a few more lessons and one man overboard moment until I really got the hang of it!

By the end of the summer I successfully passed Stage 1 and 2 of the Royal Yachting Association Youth Sailing Scheme and am now working towards Stage 3.