Monday, August 28, 2023

Sail Georgian Bay Does Well!

Most days when I go down to the harbour I see the boats of our local sailing school, Sail Georgian Bay, in action.  Often they're beyond my view out on the open bay, but when the waves are too choppy they're in the inner harbour, practicing their skills.  It turns out that they have more skills than I realized!

                                                                                            Credit to The Meaford Independent

This is the picture that appeared in our local newspaper, the Meaford Independent, celebrating the end of the sailing school season, and based on the Independent's article, a successful season it was!

As part of their efforts to expand interest and skills, the club introduced a racing program this year, held their own regattas, and competed in the Port Credit Yacht Club's Four Sisters Open.  Competing out of town for the first time, against eight other clubs they placed an astonishing 3 among the top 5 finishers in the Whitesail race!  It was an encouraging result for the local group, the only sailing school in the local region.

This picture was taken back in July, showing five of the boats, operated by teams of two.  There are eight boats altogether, and 7 of the 8 weeks in the program were sold out this year.

More recently I was down one day and one pair had fallen behind leaving the dock, turning the wrong direction in a gust of wind.

They were hurrying to join their sailing mates a little further out.  Coaches ride in a separate boat, shouting instructions, but ready to go to any emergencies.  I've always admired our local sailing school but now I have reason to be really proud of them!



15 comments:

  1. we have these sailing schools in this area and i am so fond of them for young adults. we also have surf schools which i also think are such a great idea!! my son surfs, and they never had instructional classes like this when he was a teenager!!

    great pictures, i love taking pics in this environment and seeing the red, white and blue sails!!

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  2. What a great initiative, and to train the younger ones, who knows what careers this will lead to.And apart from the sailing skills, there is so much more in classes like these, comradeship, loyalty, honesty, being on time, and learning to listen, I hope they have them again next season. Super photos.And wonderful colours.

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  3. I didn't even know there were sailing schools but it sure make sense. A great idea.

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  4. I read on the news about the Mobility Cup out west – this year. Sailing is such a great sport.

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  5. Canoes here, sails there. I imagine that sails are more fun.

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  6. Congratulations to them for their skill and accomplishments!

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  7. That is certainly a wonderful opportunity for the young men and women. Not only are they learning to sail, but to work as a team.

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  8. What a great skill for young people to learn.

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  9. There just aren't many things more graceful than a boat under sail. Our grandson-in-law is a sailor, taking part in international competitions.

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  10. A lovely post, well done to them.

    All the best Jan

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  11. I like the vibrant colors in the photos. And 'good stuff' to the local sailing club.

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  12. Thanks for sharing this fun and sunny photos. The young sailing group looks very happy. I have been on several types of boats, but never on a sail boat. Well, actually I was on the Hermione in Baltimore. It was a replica of the frigate that the Marquis de Lafayette took in 1780 on his second voyage to the USA – but then they were very tall and large sails.

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  13. My comment disappeared so if it shows up twice, I apologize.
    There is something about a sailboat on the water so watching 8 of them would be lovely! Congratulations to the team!

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  14. That would be fun to watch the sailboats. I owned a sunfish once in my young life but then life got too serious and I had to sell it. The sailboats look like the next size up from the sunfish. I liked the papers photo of everyone jumping. Your photos are great too.

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