Meaford is one of those communities that has a sailing school, known as 'Sail Georgian Bay'. It's a popular place for kids to learn the basics, signing up for a week long camp at a time. It's fun to sit on the harbour wall and watch them.
It's a very practical school; the kids are in boats on the first or second day and sailing out into Georgian Bay - either excited or terrified, who knows which!
It's a bit of a madhouse at first as they all set out from the dock (out of sight to the right), and head for the bay, out of sight on the far left). A couple of these boats look a little too close together!
There was a bit of a breeze, and some clearly had trouble controlling their boats. These two weren't supposed to be heading for the cement wall on the left!
But they got turned around and headed back with the rest. You'll notice two or three small motorboats carrying instructors, ready to help.
These two were headed up the river until they got turned around. I thought they might need rescuing.
And these two did need a rescue!
But by the time I left and headed home, at least two boats were out in the bay and the rest were being shepherded along behind them.
Sounds like fun!!
ReplyDeleteDid any of the kids capsize, and get practice righting the sailboat and clambering back into it?
ReplyDeleteYes, they all have to do that before the week is over.
DeleteBrave kids and willing helpers, what a great adventure with lessons thrown in. I think there might be something similar down here in summer .
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was fun to watch. I'm not a sailor at all unless it is a cruise ship or a pontoon boat............well, we'll see later this month what else I might be in. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteBefore you know it, they’ll be sailors, a lovely adventure for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI only sailed one time. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteBrave youngsters. What an opportunity for them to learn to sail.
ReplyDeleteI was a power boater for 28 years (1939 Matthews sedan), but all boats are wonderful ... they teach kids about the environment, the wind, the animals in the water, they teach kids to depend on each other and the joy of depending on yourself, and they teach kids when it's time to ask for help. Way cool FG, thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteQuintessentially summer.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Interesting commentary!
ReplyDeleteGood lessons for the youngsters, and I'd say it's a good thing the instructors can get to them quickly. Your photos and commentary made me think of herding cats. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great camp for kids!
ReplyDeleteGreat fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteSupervised fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
All the best Jan
That must be a real circus at first until they all get headed in the right direction. It must be very enjoyable to watch. How many do you think go on to be lifelong sailors?
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that there is a sailing school, what fun for kids. We had a 2 person sailboat once at the resort and at that time had a foreign exchange student that was from Germany who knew how to sail, I went out once that was enough for me!
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