Slowly as the days go on, it is harder to get myself out of the house and to sailing practice. It’s not that I don’t want to go, but it is the weather. When we first started sailing as a team, it was always sunny skies and t-shirts and shorts weather. Being on the water then was fun, and exciting. Now, it is rainy, cold, and cloudy. The rain makes me want to stay inside where it’s warm and dry, with a movie and a hot chocolate. However, weather will always be unpredictable and it can’t be the determining factor of whether I sail or not.
Our coach messaged us and let us know that if it was down-pouring, there would be no way we could sail. However, right as sailing was about to start, the skies slightly cleared and the rain slowed to just a sputter. So, we bundled up in warm clothes and headed to Cadboro Bay for another couple hours on the water.
Right when we got there, we discussed as a team the possibility of capsizing. If you’ve read my last posts, you might remember how capsizing is one of my biggest fears when it comes to sailing. I don’t ever want to be in the moment where I have to swim in the freezing ocean and attempt to flip my sailboat back right side up. We discussed what to do if we flip over, and then rigged up our boats in the rain.
The biggest thing I had to focus on this week to make tight tacks and be able to keep the boat on top of the water was my body positioning. Even though my skipper is the main balance of the boat when he shifts his body positioning, in weather like this I have to be super careful as well. If I shift to the wrong side, the wind will grab my sails and flip us over. So, I kept telling myself to focus on which side my sails were flipping to, either starboard or port, and to follow them. Luckily, this worked and my skipper and I never capsized our boat!
Looking back on this practice, I realized how important teamwork is within the boat. There was one moment about half way through practice that my skipper and I didn’t use proper communication to understand when we were tacking, so my skipper moved the main sail before I could rotate the jib in time. This caused not only an extremely slow tack, but also a capsizing scare. My heart was beating so fast, but after this we talked about how insanely important that teamwork and communication was. Then, we were able to focus on teamwork for the following tacks. This was extremely important to be reminded of, so I’m glad we as a team had this learning experience.
We may have gotten soaking wet and so cold, but overall we were able to learn how to navigate lousy weather as a team, and it was for sure a good practice!
Hi allie!
This is amazing. Sailing is such a cool experience. I always find it so interesting how in hobbies or sports you learn transferable skills to your everyday life. So jealous that you get to do this even if it is in the rain!
Wow, sounds like quite an adventure! Good for you for going to practice despite the gross conditions. Reading this makes me feel guilty for skipping my own outdoor practices, haha.
So what happens if you do capsize your boat? Do you have to drag it to shore? Or can you get it back up with the help of some more people?
Hey Nova!
Thanks for the comment! If a boat is capsized, it means it falls parallel to the water (so not completely upside down), so usually two teammates will be able to flip it back upright. It just might mean some swimming is required, and sometimes a motor coach boat will have to come help out. So, we wouldn’t have to drag it back to shore (unless something break or unclipped in the process).
Hey Allie!
This is the first of your sailing posts that I have come across and I had no idea you sailed! Not considering the whole capsizing thing… this is really cool! I have only been sailing like this once before and it was a few years back for my Outdoor Education Class.
The photo of your teammates made me nervous! Even though I know what they are doing, it is still so weird to see them lay so far out of the boat! Even though it was raining, it is cool to hear that you still took something with you from that particular day (teammwork/communication).
I am excited to see more of your sailing posts in the future!
Hey Allie
First off that photo is so impressive. If that was me I would have definitely ended up in the water but looks like your teammates know what they are doing.
It so cool that you got to try a new hobby such as sailing. I have looked over your blog a bit and it looks like you are really learning a lot and gaining more confidence in your sailing abilities, that’s awesome!
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned so far from sailing? Or what has your favorite part been so far?
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kari! To answer your question, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned while sailing is teamwork and communication. Without communication between the skipper and crew, the boat would never turn, go fast, or slow down. Every time an action is done, both teammates need to be on the same page in order for it to work.
My favourite part of sailing is honestly just being out on the water with people who share the some passion as me! It’s been so cool to learn different skills and hear other people’s stories of sailing.
Hi Allie,
I think it’s so cool that you go sailing! Capsizing would definitely be a huge fear of mine as well – the ocean in general really frightens me. Its just so vast and powerful. I’m glad that you’ve found a hobby that you love.