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| Comments for 'Cat Intro Day at Herne Bay' |
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| Posted by NickH on the 29 October 2007 |
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Saturday October 20 2007 - a big day. But not just for English and South African Rugby fans with the World Cup Final in Paris. It was the day that 18 junior sailors would be introduced to catamaran sailing at Herne Bay Sailing Club.
Dave Boniface and Nick Henson from the BHCCA arrived early with 4 Hobie Dragoons. Coach Nick Tayler had come up from Warsash, having recently come back from catamaran coaching in the warmer waters of Wildwind’s resort in Vasiliki.
Herne Bay Sailing Club members Freya and Alice Sanders had recently taken delivery of one of the BHCCA’s charter Dragoons and this had created something of a stir with their friends there. Dad Mark had seen the interest and worked with Dave to organise the Cat Intro Day. The idea had been conceived only about a month earlier. Initially it was thought demand would be 5 or 6 youngsters, as how many raw recruits would want to start their cat sailing adventure in October’s colder climate? There was little time to publicise the event and cat sailors in general were pre-occupied with the 2 RYA submissions to ISAF. Mark got in touch with the youth sections of neighbouring clubs at Minnis Bay, Tankerton and Whitstable.
With a large area of high pressure sitting over the country there was very little wind first thing, but at least the sun was shining. This allowed the rigging of the boats to be finished by the adults. There were 5 Hobie Dragoons, 2 Topaz 16CX’s, kindly supplied by Rob White, and a Dart 16 supplied by a club member. After the initial introduction, Nick Tayler demonstrated the skills of tacking, gybing, hoisting kites and finally capsizes on dry land. During that time a 5 knot wind had built up. So it was a quick change and the cats and support boats were launched. The group picked up the basic skills very quickly in the morning’s hour and a half session. Everyone came back with smiles on their faces, although some were a little cold.
After a quick lunch, they were on the water again but this time wearing trapeze harnesses. The youngsters swapped around on the boats so all had a chance to try out the different kit. Initially the wind was good but died off towards the end of the 2 hour session. Still they all managed to have a great time twin trapezing, one each side of the boat. Some even took the opportunity for capsize practice.
Julia Rees and Eleanor Rouse were very impressed with their boat saying they could not believe how much faster it moved and how easy it was to rig and de-rig. Charles and Harry Willett had only started sailing monohulls this year. They had persuaded their dad to miss their club’s laying up supper and join the BHCCA RYA training at Weston the following weekend instead. The day had generated a lot of interest from parents and children alike.
Around 5pm Nick Tayler gave them the important de-brief session and Dave Boniface took them through the options they have available for carrying on, including the Dragoon Charter programme, the RYA sponsored training and events offered on the catamaran youth programme. The Hobie Cat Centre had kindly donated some caps and T shirts for the participants.
By the time we had got the boats back on the road trailers and said our goodbyes and travelled home, we managed to see the last 30 minutes of the Rugby World Cup Final. Our boys were beaten by a better team and were gracious in defeat. Something we can all learn from.
More Cat Intro days are being planned now. There is one already booked for Alton Water Sailing Club, near Ipswich in February. There is also RYA sponsored catamaran training taking place at Datchet Water on November 17/18, December 1/2 and January 5/6. Please contact Nick Henson (bhcca_youth_coord@yahoo.co.uk or 07968 310077) if you would like more details on Intro Days or how to get involved in the youth catamaran training programme.
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Details: Hobie Dragoon Extreme Sail No.728
Fast boat in excellent order and great to sail in all wind conditions. Can be sailed/righted single handed or two up. Twin Trapeze. Asymmetric Spinnaker + Shute. White Knight Rudders. Mast Float. Furling Jib. Auto tacking jib. Reefable mailsail. Harken fittings. Full Covers. Beach launch trolley (new tyres last year). Water Tight Hulls. 2006 Model. Boat at Southampton area. Cash or possible swop?
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