DAD AND SON SAIL 2 SEPTEMBER 2022 SD 480p
A real delight to take dad Adrian and son James for a taster sail today. Adrian sailed on Lift Off (the blue Squib) with John Cranwell Ward and Eric Andrew and James sailed on Satyr (the red Squib) with Tony Garrick and Dave Grundy. Speaking to both soon after returning to the pontoon, they had big smiles and said they had really enjoyed their Taster Day with RCSSC. Adrian was a natural and sailed Satyr for most of the time we were out. He had a natural feel for the breeze and changes in wind direction. We sailed out from Rutland Sailing Club and soon tacked to head passed the gap between Hambleton Peninsula / Normanton Church into the open waters before the dam head. There were plenty of fishermen out and with Adrian on the helm we gave them space to fish and got plenty of friendly waves as we sailed by them. We covered the length of the Dam and getting great view of 'Rutland by the Sea' then across towards Whitwell Creek with sight of the slides, canoes and of course The Rutland Belle. Seeing Lift Off with Dad Adrian on board, near the peninsula and head up the North leg of Rutland Water. All too soon we had to turn for home and followed Lift Off, sailing in good company, heading by for the pontoon at Rutland Sailing Club on the South Shore, near Edith Weston. Whilst Lift Off headed in we decided to sail on for a few minutes and sailed half way along the South leg, and enjoying a strengthening breeze. By now Tony and myself were pretty confident in Jame's helming so when we saw a fleet of lasers sailing in a group towards with us, and us on a starboard tack (right of way) we decided to 'hold our course' and with a few marginal tweaks to make things easier for other sailors, James 'sailed through with aplomb. Nice one James. By now we could see the others were on the pontoon and it was time to join them. Adrian relinquished the helm to Dave and took control of the jib sail with Tony. The wind was a northerly blowing straight onto the pontoon soon so with bow and side fenders on, we sailed to the pontoon, turned into wind and came along side.
