Family Outing

"See!? Isn't this better than sitting at home marking and doing reports?" called Himself over the rush of the wind and the vibration of the boat.
"I'll let you know later," I muttered grimly, through gritted teeth as I held doggedly onto the jibsheet, tucked my feet under the toestrap and leeeeeeeaned out over the hissing waves.

Some families go to the zoo, or the museum or for a bushwalk. We go sailing. In a very, very small boat. In twos.

Today was the perfect sailing day for beginners. Himself, Small Boy and No2 Son took the boat down to Brighton and Seacliff and waited for the BA and I to finish up Kidzone at Church and meet them there. I was reluctant. I had work to do. I am already behind the 8 ball! But what can you do? Himself rarely takes time out from work to socialise with the family. So down we went.

"Are you ready to go out again?" he inquired as we arrived. I had brought my marking. I was hoping to sit quietly under the sun tent. The last time I went out on the boat was in Jan 06. I'd had a knee injury since then and the time had never been right since.
"Who, me? What about No 2 Son?"
"He's hurt his thumb on the skimboard...he won't be sailing today."
"Oh, great." (There was no escape)

So, out we went. Not so bad. At least I didn't fall off the boat this time. My first tack was a mess. I let the jib off too late and it got tangled but we recovered. My second tack was worse. In my anxiety to get the jib off and on again on the other side....I did so before we had even turned the boat...........so we stalled.

"OK we could be in trouble here," Himself called as we flollopped about (technical term). The note of minor panic in his voice was disconcerting; he is usually completely in control. The NS14 is a notoriously unstable boat having a narrow, deeply 'v' shaped hull. It would not be a good fishing boat. Capsizing is a common end point. I did not fancy going for a swim. I used my not inconsiderable background in dance to balance us as I let the jib off again and he got us pointing in the right direction. Whew. Dodged that bullet!

The next tack was just about perfect. Apparently we didn't even lose any speed! Practice makes perfect but by now I had had enough. Let's quit while we're ahead. Unfortunately, sailing boats are not like merry go rounds. You cannot simply stop and get off. They're more like ferris wheels. You have to manouevre yourself into the correct position before you can dismount.

So I think we did two more tacks. Both ok, although I was shaking with the effort of concentration by then. Lean out, sit in, quick...back ouuuut....jib on, jib off, leeeeeeean.
Thank the bloody Lord the beach came up quickly. I was exhausted!!!

But wait, there's more! Himself decided today was the day the Baby Angel would be baptised into sailing!!! I had to walk away and sit on the beach while he gave her a crash course. I was sooo stressed! I wanted to give her advice, tell him to come back in if she got scared...to be careful with my Baby...................just walk away Mum, go sit on the beach.
(phu phu phu...that's me hyperventilating)

Of course she did really well. I don't know why I was so worried, after all, this is a girl who has scuba dived, surfed and been in a helicopter: she's way ahead of me!

I sat and watched like a hawk, as if I could have done anything from the beach anyway!! Their tacks were good and they made a few runs in and out before coming back in. Himself was well pleased with her, she was beaming and I was so proud I could have burst.

Unfortunately Small Boy will not have a bar of sailing, being sure that he will be eaten by a shark so his day at the beach consisted of skim boarding and getting the tops of his feet sunburned. Never leave the father to put the sunscreen on.

We look forward to more sailing as a family. In twos.

PS: I forgot my camera today. The picture above is the NS14 with Himself and No2 Son, taken in Jan 2006 on Lake Macquarie NSW. Quite a different state of affairs when you sail on the SEA!!! It looks so calm there....