The Optimist Fleet on tour over the weekend of 12th and 13th of July 2011

Report by Chris Berkley

 

What a brilliant 2 (or 1) day’s sailing you all had! I was completely astounded by the progress that all of our sailors made and the sheer commitment that you all showed. It is no small thing to turn up at a completely strange place, and then race all day almost without a break. The winds were strong and challenging on Saturday, then light and shifty on Sunday. It’s very different from play sailing or coaching at Durleigh! There were a number of times for everyone when things weren’t quite going right. Stuck head to wind, boom banging heads, capsizing, boats in the way or starting at the back. But everyone just had a think then just got back in there and carried on. You should all be very proud of yourselves. Our aim was to show you what goes on outside Durleigh and that you can sail better than a lot of other kids. I think we did that. We would have been happy if you just went for a sail and gave it a try – but to sail your whole regatta or two was a credit to you all. You also made a big impression on our Axbridge neighbours and have put Durleigh on the map. They all want to come to sail with us next!

From Me, and all at SYCSA – WELL DONE!!

 

OK Kids, that’s your bit. Now to the grownups..

 

 

Thanks a million everyone. The moral support, practical help, loading and ferrying gear and filling in on my organisational failings made it a really fun weekend. Hopefully, you have a taste of Oppie life and have made some friends. This is only the third SYCSA tour but we do hope that we can do it again sometime. So thank you for supporting the kids and making the weekend work; it couldn’t have happened without you.

As you know, my camera tried to join the action and is now a fully paid up member of the Axbridge sub-aqua Club. If anyone has some photos I would love to see them! Andrew’s team photo is attached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally....

Thanks to the SYCSA ‘Management Team’. Without them, there would be no Oppies, no training, no trailer and therefore no fun.

Chris Berkley

OPTIMISTS ARE NOT BORING!