Everyone who knows me a bit knows that I love the sea and even though I was born and raised in the most land locked state in the union (Kansas), the ocean has always called me. One of the things I have always wanted to learn to do is sail and I decided to take a sailing course during my year long odyssey and booked a course through Girls for Sail in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
From Penzance I took the train to South Hampton and found my way to the ferry station to complete my journey to Cowes. I noticed a lady with a backpack on the shuttle from the train and wondered at that time if perhaps she was a student for the course as well. She was in front of me in queue and I overheard her asking for a return on the next Friday afternoon, the possibility was getting closer. I purchased my ferry ticket and made my way to where she was standing and asked. Yes, she was also attending the course. What a great way to meet my future roommate, Vicky. :)
Cowes is a sailing town and its inhabitants are all involved in sailing/shipping and usually in more than one way. If you look to the harbor from South Hampton or Cowes one is bound to see ships and boats of all sorts from huge tankers to small dinghies.
The course I was taking, as implied by the company's name, is for women only and offers women the opportunity to learn without the pressures of learning with men on board. Sorry guys, but it is true, most of you are competitive and that is not the best environment for us women to learn in.
Vicky and I made our way to our home for the week, "Diamonds are Forever"and met our instructor, Harry (Harriet). Vicky and I plopped down our bags and we headed to meet the other two students at a local pub for introductions and dinner.
While at the pub a wheelchair bound, 16-year old girl was escorted in by her friends and family as they were all celebrating her solo sail around the Isle of Wight - an amazing feat for anyone, in my opinion, but phenomenal considering that she controlled her boat by her mouth only. Congrats again Miss Isle, you are an inspiration to us all!
After introductions, dinner, drinks and fellowship, we all headed back to our boat and settled in for the night as in the morning we would set sail. I was excited and anxious and though I know it is hard to "fail" the Competent Crew course, I still wanted to learn as much as I could in the 5 days I had. Of the students on board, 2 of us were taking the Competent Crew course and neither of us had ever done any previous sailing, the other 2 were each taking their Day Skipper course and, of course, had a bit of sailing experience and later in the week, another Day Skipper would join us.
We had an eventful week in which I learned the ropes (literally) of sailing. I learned the difference (and the similarity) of a tack and a gybe. I learned what everything on board was called and what it did. I hoisted the mainsail, I learned the points of sail, how to read the tale tell signs, and how to tie a bowline (as well as many other knots). It was not an easy week. My shins were covered in bruises, my arms ached, and when I was at the helm my nerves were a bit frazzled. We also had some experiences that I think were not necessarily normal; however, they did make for a memorial course.
Girls For Sail Photos Here
From Penzance I took the train to South Hampton and found my way to the ferry station to complete my journey to Cowes. I noticed a lady with a backpack on the shuttle from the train and wondered at that time if perhaps she was a student for the course as well. She was in front of me in queue and I overheard her asking for a return on the next Friday afternoon, the possibility was getting closer. I purchased my ferry ticket and made my way to where she was standing and asked. Yes, she was also attending the course. What a great way to meet my future roommate, Vicky. :)
Cowes is a sailing town and its inhabitants are all involved in sailing/shipping and usually in more than one way. If you look to the harbor from South Hampton or Cowes one is bound to see ships and boats of all sorts from huge tankers to small dinghies.
The course I was taking, as implied by the company's name, is for women only and offers women the opportunity to learn without the pressures of learning with men on board. Sorry guys, but it is true, most of you are competitive and that is not the best environment for us women to learn in.
Vicky and I made our way to our home for the week, "Diamonds are Forever"and met our instructor, Harry (Harriet). Vicky and I plopped down our bags and we headed to meet the other two students at a local pub for introductions and dinner.
While at the pub a wheelchair bound, 16-year old girl was escorted in by her friends and family as they were all celebrating her solo sail around the Isle of Wight - an amazing feat for anyone, in my opinion, but phenomenal considering that she controlled her boat by her mouth only. Congrats again Miss Isle, you are an inspiration to us all!
After introductions, dinner, drinks and fellowship, we all headed back to our boat and settled in for the night as in the morning we would set sail. I was excited and anxious and though I know it is hard to "fail" the Competent Crew course, I still wanted to learn as much as I could in the 5 days I had. Of the students on board, 2 of us were taking the Competent Crew course and neither of us had ever done any previous sailing, the other 2 were each taking their Day Skipper course and, of course, had a bit of sailing experience and later in the week, another Day Skipper would join us.
We had an eventful week in which I learned the ropes (literally) of sailing. I learned the difference (and the similarity) of a tack and a gybe. I learned what everything on board was called and what it did. I hoisted the mainsail, I learned the points of sail, how to read the tale tell signs, and how to tie a bowline (as well as many other knots). It was not an easy week. My shins were covered in bruises, my arms ached, and when I was at the helm my nerves were a bit frazzled. We also had some experiences that I think were not necessarily normal; however, they did make for a memorial course.
Girls For Sail Photos Here
After my course I can confidently say that I could see myself crewing a sailing vessel. I learned a lot and though sailing itself is quite an easy concept, it does take time to master and can be physically demanding but a lot of fun. I look forward to working under my favorite skipper in the future - I can't wait to sail along with you Shawn!
P.S. I was the only one willing to strike the pose for the camera. :)
P.S. I was the only one willing to strike the pose for the camera. :)
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