Our first Student Sailing day, Saturday 2nd April, was well attended and went smoothly.  “Plain sailing” you might say, apart from PW’s mobile phone getting wet in the bilge, making it tricky to tell the second “watch” where to find us!
10 “learners” in two “watches” sailed a number of lengths of the reach above Marsh Lock, and several novices took the helm.
The first watch had rowed to the sailing area and helped collect and rig the sails, and the second watch did the reverse.
The only mishap was a broken belaying pin - the gib halyard cleat.
Many thanks to Robin for his expertise aboard, and collecting the lifejackets. Thanks to Geoff and others for lending them, and to Geoff for use of Molly.

Saturday 9th April
One "watch" of two students, two adults and two "experts" met at 13:00,and helped by mother of one student, collected the rig then sailed down to Hambleden Lock. The south easterly wind enabled several runs up to Temple island and back. Three "novices" took the helm. Finished the day at about 18:00.
"...I love it and it's very good fun".

Sunday 1st May
Strong gusts encouraged us to start out fully reefed. Even that became too exciting so we reduced to the trysail, "Julia". This was more relaxing but not without some thrilling moments and a few quick gybes to get out of trouble. Lost count of the number of tacks downriver against the wind. Students steered on the way home with a generally benign following wind.
"...still keen to learn more, either rowing or sailing".

Sunday 20th November
Misty and mysterious. Students confidently took the crucial controls all the way, and with very little instruction. Well done crew.
"...Sailing on Sunday was lovely and relaxing".

Saturday 17th December
By 10:30, flurries of snow had turned to brilliant sunshine and gentle breezes, but it was still quite cold when three students, two adult learners and a dad, plus one "expert" rowed up to collect the sailing rig. "Shopping" lured the dad ashore so seven souls sailed serenely down to Hambleden Lock and back, pausing briefly at UTRC for a late lunch.
Occasionally we were briefly becalmed but on the whole we found enough breeze to keep moving, and at one exciting moment we heeled over just enough to bring in a few pints of Old Father Thames. "Dad" joined us for the closing minutes, after taking three pictures (right).
Molly back to bed just as dusk descended. A pleasant day with all students working the sheets, and several taking the helm.
"...I really enjoyed myself again".

Saturday 18th February
Mustering earlier than usual, to try to avoid the rain, proved over-optimistic. One good decision however, prompted by a higher than usual ratio of beginners to experienced crew, and potentially gusty weather, was to use only gib and "julia" (trysial); great for down wind, and pretty good on a broad reach, but much less efficient when trying to point up.
Running down to Hambleden Lock was easy but tacking back up kept us busy. Frequent calls of "Ready about"; "Lee ho." That, and the cold rain, motivated crew to warm up by rowing back to the club for lunch.
"...Thanks so much for Saturday and all your knowledge and experience..."..

Saturday 17th March.
12:30 start successfully avoided the rain. 5 aboard rowed up to Mill Meadows to erect the rig, then sailed to Marsh Lock, dipping the sail to clear the phone wires!
Above Marsh lock we managed several runs up and down the reach despite gently fickle breezes, and all "students" took the helm. Returned through the lock around 16:20 sailing right in (at about half a knot!).
Molly "to bed" before sunset.

Saturday 28th April.
09:45 muster did not succeed in avoiding the rain, so cast-off was postponed over cups of tea till after 10:30. Moderate northerly wind all day with occasional gusts, occasional spits of rain, and gradualy increasing wind speed which generated small "white horses" in mid river by 15:00. Molly behaved well but proved that going about with "Julia" is more predictably achieved by gybing 300 degrees, rather than tacking. Maybe we should experiment again with more wind and more "ballast"?
(Three coot's eggs on a nest by the bow at the mooring)
"...Thanks.... It was fun..."..

Next sailing day? See the calendar below.

If you have any ideas or requests - please let me know (via this website).