Spinnaker Training weekend with Southern Sailing School 6-8th May 2005
All the talking was over and at last the weekend arrived and a bunch of brave souls from the HSSC headed south to go kite flying.
We arrived in Southampton Friday evening amid brilliant sunshine with all eagerly anticipating a weekend sufficiently windy in which we could learn how to fly the beautiful coloured balloons we know as spinnakers.
Well there is windy… and then there is very windy !!!!!!!!!!!!
We settled in to the spartan but just about adequate accommodation aboard the two boats, and rapidly got to grips with what rigging a spinnaker was all about. No mucking about here; straight in for the kill.
Dave had it all caught on camera lest any salient point of the process should be forgotten for the future. A photographic aide memoir!
A swift but thorough safety briefing followed, whereupon at around 18.30 we donned our sailing gear, as temperatures dropped and winds increased and sailed forth into the Solent and headed for Hamble town quay!
We could see Jac, Phil, and Victor on their boat in the distance, and we could see also that flying a spinnaker was not going to be easy, however, our valiant and intrepid skipper, Richard, (AKA “Hey-You Richard”, to distinguish from Richard Marks, “Our Richard”) gave us the confidence to press on and rig the kite!
Oh boy did we know all about it as skipper Hey-You Richard gave the orders to hoist the spinnaker. Our Richard on helm was determined to hold the boat on course as the unusual Rock’nRoll motion took over, yet as if by magic and taking on board instructions shouted from the mast, very soon the boat resumed a degree of control and took off like a bat out of hell. OMG the change in speed was awesome.
We quickly learnt how to keep the sail set to the optimum shape; just on the point of collapse, and were able to sail successfully with spinnaker aloft for quite some distance. We were even able to attempt an end-to-end jybe!!! (such technical speak!) which was completely successful if a little ragged round the edges… but they got much, much better as the weekend progressed!
We reached the mooring at Hamble quite late; after 21.00, and rushed to make it to the last remaining eatery that was still serving food. (we politely, but firmly rejected the kind offer of having pasty, mash and beans on board!). Gilad formed a one man welcoming committee and made sure all our gastronomic needs were catered for.
The following day held all manner of drama in store, the winds whistled up to a force 6, as we sailed up Southampton water to find shelter in order to hoist the kite before sailing back.
What an experience!! As the kite flew up, the boat became akin to a bucking bronco, and we all held on for dear life… Dave on the helm, and more so Our Richard at the mast, (or should I say almost hugging the coach roof) wished they had applied some kind of bonding resin to hold them firm, and Sands was just too far removed from the reality to even feel fear.. Well you have got to have experienced it before to feel afraid a second time. (I had no experience so couldn’t feel the fear…) Foolish girl!
In a split second and why we have no idea, the boat suddenly broached big time, at which point, most of the crew found G-d and religion if even for a split second. It was an awesome experience; as quickly as she went down, up she came, and order was restored. Somehow, we all retained confidence in our skipper who talked us though every second, that seemed like a year, while the broach was actually happening and afterwards explained exactly why.
We continued to play with the sails for the rest of the day, and arrived into Cowes happy, challenged and rewarded. With a real sense of achievement, we were in a reflective mood as we made our way up to the Folly Inn.
Passing Ellen MacArthur’s imposing Trimaran, B & Q in the Medina river was another bonus for us, although we heard she was hit by a motor launch the next day with some damage to her hull… it wasn’t us; honest.
No sooner had we rafted up next to Phil and crew, so we were treated to the most potent drink known to mankind. Phil specials… Caipirinhas!!! Well, added to the surreal and dramatic sailing and the camaraderie on board, we were soon very happy sailors indeed!!!
The next morning, the other boat were far too full of the joys of springs and in such a hurry to get out and sail, they decided to ‘cast-off’ with us still attached to their side. After travelling half way down to Cowes, we eventual un-tied the ropes holding us together.
Sunday allowed us a good half day sail, and more practice on sailing with spinnakers. and although the wind dropped for the while, we only just got the sail down before we were actually hit by a squall with gusts up to force 8 and driving rain, and we headed back to base with just a main up with two reefs, and no jib nor genoa.
I know I learnt an enormous amount and I am so indebted not only to our skipper, Hey-You Richard, but to my crew mates, Our Richard, Dave, and Brian for having the courage to support and teach me so much.
Sandy
HSSC Crew:
Solent One
Skipper… Hey-You Richard
Dave Robson
Brian Attridge
Richard Marks
Sandy Kattan
Solent Two
Skipper…Ray
Phil Sugarman
Gilad Shub
Victor Newton
Jac Harris
Sandy Kattan