Island News & Views
General · 16th February 2008
Frank & Shirley Wallace
You've always wanted to learn how the wind moves a sailboat, and to enjoy the rush of handling a boat under sail, haven't you? Well, here's your chance! Quadra Sailblazers Dinghy Club is again offering a basic Learn-to-Sail program this spring. This program is open to all ages from ten years old and upwards. The course includes several on-shore sessions in which you will learn the theory of wind propulsion (the most eco-friendly system ever!) plus rigging, handling and safety in small boats.
Registration for the course will be on Sunday, March 9 at 1pm at the Community Centre. (That's the weekend the clocks change!) Cost for the course will be $80.00 per adult, $50 junior, plus a special one-year family membership of $50.00. If more than one junior in the family registers, there will be a reduced price of $40 each for these additional juniors. Course sessions will be on Sunday afternoons; the first one will be on registration day. Since Easter is early this year, and school break is in March also, specific dates for sessions will be decided after discussion with those registering. The program will run from March into June, including an opportunity to sail in the May Day Dinghy Race if you want to!
What to bring: Course participants must provide their own personal flotation devices with whistles attached, kayak type life vests are suitable or call for guidance if you are unsure what type to get. The first two sessions will be on land so it is not necessary to have your life vests at the very start. Juniors and adults who wish to sail Lasers will also need water shoes/sandals for wading.
The course covers safety procedures and equipment, basic knots, rigging dinghies, launching and docking procedures, reading the wind; sailing theory and dinghy management on different points of sail, capsizes and recoveries (when the water is warmer). When the weather cooperates, you will sail in company with instructors to learn the practicalities of managing a boat on the water. The fleet will be accompanied by a safety power boat, and we will sail in Drew Harbour from Taku Resort.
Participants: We get a wide range of participants, from juniors to retirees so progress is at your own pace. Instruction is in a variety of dinghies from Laser board boats to a 17' Daysailer so although some physical mobility is required a range of abilities can be accomodated.
Please call to sign up as soon as you can. Numbers in the course are limited by the spaces in the boats, so you need to reserve your place promptly! Call Frank and Shirley Wallace, 285 2297, to put your name on the list, or to get further information about the course, the boats and the Club.
Quadra Sailblazers also welcomes anyone who already knows how to handle sailboats of any size, and would like to have the opportunity to try the dinghies in the Club fleet. Please feel free to call the Wallaces (285 2297) to find out more.
Membership dues for both returning and new members can be paid on the course registration day, March 9.
Registration for the course will be on Sunday, March 9 at 1pm at the Community Centre. (That's the weekend the clocks change!) Cost for the course will be $80.00 per adult, $50 junior, plus a special one-year family membership of $50.00. If more than one junior in the family registers, there will be a reduced price of $40 each for these additional juniors. Course sessions will be on Sunday afternoons; the first one will be on registration day. Since Easter is early this year, and school break is in March also, specific dates for sessions will be decided after discussion with those registering. The program will run from March into June, including an opportunity to sail in the May Day Dinghy Race if you want to!
What to bring: Course participants must provide their own personal flotation devices with whistles attached, kayak type life vests are suitable or call for guidance if you are unsure what type to get. The first two sessions will be on land so it is not necessary to have your life vests at the very start. Juniors and adults who wish to sail Lasers will also need water shoes/sandals for wading.
The course covers safety procedures and equipment, basic knots, rigging dinghies, launching and docking procedures, reading the wind; sailing theory and dinghy management on different points of sail, capsizes and recoveries (when the water is warmer). When the weather cooperates, you will sail in company with instructors to learn the practicalities of managing a boat on the water. The fleet will be accompanied by a safety power boat, and we will sail in Drew Harbour from Taku Resort.
Participants: We get a wide range of participants, from juniors to retirees so progress is at your own pace. Instruction is in a variety of dinghies from Laser board boats to a 17' Daysailer so although some physical mobility is required a range of abilities can be accomodated.
Please call to sign up as soon as you can. Numbers in the course are limited by the spaces in the boats, so you need to reserve your place promptly! Call Frank and Shirley Wallace, 285 2297, to put your name on the list, or to get further information about the course, the boats and the Club.
Quadra Sailblazers also welcomes anyone who already knows how to handle sailboats of any size, and would like to have the opportunity to try the dinghies in the Club fleet. Please feel free to call the Wallaces (285 2297) to find out more.
Membership dues for both returning and new members can be paid on the course registration day, March 9.