28 Apr 2010Article and photo courtesy of The Greate Lakes Advocate
28 April 2010
LEARNING THE ROPES: Jasper Lanham sailing strong in only
his third lesson at the Great Lakes Sailing Club.
SAILING for local Great Lakes kids has gotten off to a flyer at the Great Lakes Sailing Club with a second series almost complete.
The initial program by the YMCA, in partnership with the sailing club, has been most successful.
Twelve young people have enjoyed learning the ropes and for the first time the program has had three girls take up the challenge of learning to sail.
Head coach Len Newman said, “We had great success with the first YMCA Sailing School and the kids in that program have now progressed onto more advanced levels, so it’s terrific to get a new bunch all keen to have a go”.
The junior sailors are all learning on new state of the art Open Bic boats which have been purchased by Sailing Club members along with boat donations from Gnomes Landscaping, Brian and Heater Bath, Stacks the Law Firm Forster, GLITA and YMCA.
“The boats are so good to teach the kids in and they progress at a rapid rate, in fact after three lessons the majority are capable of participating in small sailing races,” Mr Newman said.
Iggy Dunn is one such junior to reach great proficiency and will represent the club at Tinanoo (Cairns Queensland) on May 20.
This is the first national regatta for open BIC class boats.
The season finishes on Mother’s Day. All the families involved will be welcomed to a fun race morning, stating at 11am.
The Great Lakes Sailing Club is inviting all sailors, be they senior or junior, to visit the sailing club on Mothers Day May 9 for a fun sail/race and barbecue lunch.
