Crew available / crew wanted

mrmacg wrote: »

Thanks H for the quick reply

Answer to (i) I'd like to race if at all possible ( I have a few pals who race 31.7's and I believe that they are very good, so I'm a bit apprehensive about asking them to show the the ropes as I do not want get in their way )

(ii)I did nothing, went out to see the tall ships and sail along with them, it was very just leisurely, not knowing what to do I just took in the sight

(iii) I'm out in Castleknock so either Howth or DL would be perfect

27 Relatively fit, and def enthusiastic with a appetite to learn, I've a more hands on approach, I retain information by doing rather than being taught in a classroom, very willing to learn and reliable showing up to what I promise

Hey mrmacg

Howth are just starting their second block of adult training this Thursday 18th July, it's different courses aimed at different levels, on J80s which are fun and fast boats. Part of the objective is to encourage people to get involved in crewing

You can email coaching@hyc.ie for details, as Heidi said, I've recently started (two months ago now!) and am really enjoying it, started with no experience crewing on a whitesails boat in Howth, and as miss no stars has said, the fact I turned up week in week out seems to have stood to me, I've learned loads, and in that few weeks have gone from hopping from one side of the boat to the other, to actually playing a part really contributing to sailing the boat.

I've done the start sailing and introduction to sailing courses myself, and am hoping to start basic skills this week, and would definitely recommend them as if you want to race, even on slower boats, you'll not learn much, it's a completely different language On both the courses I've done so far, it's maybe 10/20% theory and then 80% practical, so you can really apply what you learn given how you learn.

I've found especially since doing start sailing, and probably coupled with the fact I show up as much as I do, that I now feel comfortable (to an extent) taking a small part in discussing what we are going to do as a group, rather than being a passenger. It really is tremendous fun even when you are being slagged off for getting something you have learned wrong (I decided to move clocks 180 degrees last week, and announced a mark ahead was at six rather than 12 o'clock) much to the mirth of my fellow crew/skipper Racing is a great way to learn the rules and how they work if you hook up with a good crew/skipper.

If you want any details on the courses, send me a pm, I'm not even a member of Howth, but can be out there three times a week at the moment!

P.s. in relation to courses on dinghies or bigger boats, I did both my first two courses on dinghies, and found it really gave me a great perspective that applied just as well to the cruiser I race on

And p.s. 2: If you are racing, there will inevitably be some shouting, when you get caught in ropes, something gets stuck, the **** just hits the fan, or there is an argument about boats. At first it's a bit freaky, but unless you are with an ass of a crew/skipper, it's never ever personal, I nearly died the first time I a. had an accident and ended up with rope for the jib wrapped around my knee preventing a tack, and the roaring, and b. was involved in other boats all jostling for position and the yelling that went on.