Optimist tide & wave training (with dolphins!) at South Shields Sailing Club

Optimists & Dolphins at South Shields © David Shilling

Twelve of the North East Optimists took to the sea this weekend at South Shields to take in some tide and wave training.

Condition were wild on Saturday out at sea and having given it a go it was decided to retreat to shelter inside the shields and concentrate on the effects of tide.

There were some great comments like "the marks are drifting" and in an easing wind the difference in getting the tide right or wrong was very easy to see.

Sunday brought blue skies, a gentle rolling sea and a light but decent breeze so it was out to sea for the whole day.

The morning session was interrupted by a pod of about 8-12 dolphins (very difficult to count!) who came right up close to some of the Optimist sailors giving them an experience they won't forget.

Once the visitors left it was back to wave techniques in near perfect conditions.

Before the event some of the younger sailors had reservations about sailing on the sea but having given it a go these reservations are all but gone.

Everyone finished the weekend with a better understanding of the sea, what tides do and how to sail up waves and how to surf down them.

The event was run by Pete and Tom Clayton who had been coaching the squads through the winter training.