Cumbrae 2011

posted by lsorbie | Monday 6th Jun 2011 18:35

It's time again for our annual trip to the Isle of Cumbrae for sailing and windsurfing. Read below to find out what we're up to!

Friday:

Better late than never, here are the photos of our last day - canoe games in the morning, and powerboating in the afternoon. And wait...some sun!

If you'd like a CD of the photos I took - let me know. Till next year...

Thursday:

Our last full day! Today the pupils had one more chance to work on their chosen activity to see whether they could achieve their RYA qualifications. Sailors were aiming for Level 2 and windsurfers Intermediate non-planing.

As I had contracted the plague, I didn't go on the water this morning (a quick trip to the doc's in Millport has cured me) but both groups continued to work on their ability to steer. Again, some pupils were more successful than others - and some of them got very wet :)

This afternoon, the windsurfers kept trying to stand up, head in the right direction, and hopefully attach their harnesses if the wind got up enough. The sailors went out on darts, and got the experience of a bigger sail and harnessing out on the trapeze.

From the pics you can see how relaxing it was - that is, until the wind got up and sent the boys flying! My boat was definitely the most skillful - despite the fact I was at the helm, we managed to beat the other boat in a race. So aggrieved were the others, that they resorted to an act of piracy and stole Alasdair right off our boat - only to dunk him in the water! At least he got them back by pulling Matthew in along with him :)

So tonight the pupils are off walking to Millport, and then we're going for an ice cream in The Ritz cafe. Even the sun managed to make an appearance today, although it barely lifted the temperature into double figures. Hot baths ready for them all tomorrow please!

Wednesday:

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!

Another good day and the pupils have learned lots! Both groups started the day with some more theory before heading out onto the water.

After a nice sunny start, the clouds and rain soon came - Perth definitely had nicer weather than us. The sailing group had their own dinghies to sail today, and so the skills we learned yesterday to do with steering and tacking would be out to use. First we had to rig the boats - another first for many - and then set sail solo. The windsurfers did some knot tying, and then tried to head out as well, but the initial lack of wind hampered them a bit. Natasha was today's official photographer, so all photos are courtesy of her.

The sailing group worked on being able to steer and control our boats - not as easy as you may think, and as many of us found out - just as well we'd done the capsize drill on shore. We tried to play follow the leader with the powerboats - some of us managed it and some of us attempted it.

This afternoon both groups tried to perfect their steering, and learned to tack up-wind.

However, inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, a number of pupils tried to capture each others' vessels - you can see from the pics that not all attempts ended with dry pupils.

[

By the end of the afternoon everyone was tired, and more than ready for our barbecue tea - not quite the same when you have to eat it in the dining hall because of the rain :)

The last lesson they learned today was that hitting your head off your own or someone else's boom really hurts :(

Right now they're playing manhunt - apparently I'm it. I wonder how long they'll stay hiding for...

Tuesday:

So today has found us basking in glorious sunshine - it reached nearly 80o by lunchtime and most of us got sunburnt.

Ah I nearly had you going there! It would be fair to say that this morning's weather was unseasonably cold for June - hence the delightful outfits.

As we had decided yesterday which activities we would be doing, we split up into two groups and got going. I decided to join the sailing group for a change, and as a result today's photos are mainly of our group. We set off in two boats, and as we sailed we learned the basics of steering, setting a course and tacking. I apologise now for my terrible lack of ability to steer, and any terror this may have caused Eilidh, Dave and Matthew.

After the cold of the morning, everyone was happy to come in for lunch, and even happier when there was a glimmer of sunshine by the afternoon. After a brief theory session, the sailors headed back out, while the windsurfers changed to smaller sails in the hope they might be able to lift them out of the water :)

The afternoon went very quickly as the pupils all got to practise steering and turning the boat, and the windsurfers got to try harnesses for the first time. A good afternoon was had by all, and the hot showers a joy at the end.

We were going to walk to Millport tonight, but because the weather's so changeable, I'm going to drive instead. Apparently the pupils are dying for a deep fried Mars Bar...

Monday:

We arrived yesterday to weather not quite as bad as last Monday's but it was pretty poor! While the pupils enjoyed watching the brave souls who were out windsurfing, they were a bit intimidated by actually being in the sea in such weather themselves.

Thankfully, when we got up this morning it was to a slightly brighter and less stormy day, and we all decided to give windsurfing a go on the first day.

We played some games to begin with to get used to the boards, and then got our sails on. As some of the girls had tried it already, they were soon zooming about, remembering everything they had learned last year. Some of the beginners found it a bit harder to get the hang of, and they particularly didn't like falling in! (Especially into the jellyfish infested waters.)

By the afternoon session the sun had come out and everyone was feeling a little warmer. Most people managed to stay up for at least a little while (some of the beginners for a lot longer) and eveyone was ready for their tea by the time we had finished.