Starting from scratch

So my 3yr old daughter said to me yesterday....."I would like a red boat daddy"

I have been thinking about where to start with introducing my sport to her, she plays happily in my RS400 and quite likes running up and down the D-One, not on the water of course.

I started in Optimists when I was 6yrs old and I also started at a gravel pit where there was a big focus on Oppies.

I remember coming to Queen Mary first time in a Topper and thinking that I was sailing to USA it was so big (ahh bless) I must have been young.

I am concious of not wanting to scare her and I was thinking of getting an old wooden Optimist to put in the garden so she can play in it.

I saw this http://sailtherainbow.com/coach_resources/simulator/simulato r.html which I thought maybe a good way of teaching before getting wet.

I would like to hear from any of you that have "already been there" and what your thoughts on the subject are.

Someone said to me yesterday..."don't do it too early!!!!"

So what do you think?

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LOL Charley and Lola...that's Pimped!

No I am not pushy parent either...that's why I wanted some advice.

I am sure there is an old wooden Oppie lying about somewhere.

I reckon about 6yrs old is right.

Cheers

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They use that simulator thing at draycote for windurfing, it works really
well with small children and i expect it could bE modified for an oppie

Wise words.

I remember capsizing my oppy and it going turtle with the daggerboard dropping through the slot.

I had a brand new pair of "wellington boots"???? on and I remember trying to hold on to them as they were slipping off.

My mum was screaming from the bank, and I had to go under the boat to get the daggerboard.....all I could think about was the Jaws theme and it was all dark and echoey under the hull.

That took a while to get over, I shall be very careful.

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Edited by timg

Find a graduate and get your little one to crew. Thats my plan. My little one is 2 1/2 and I'm aiming to get a grad when she is 4 or 5. I know that I can singlehand it in most if not all conditions and will allow her to crew for me when its nice. As she gets older and more confident she can get more and more involved. On the days shes not interested I'll sail the 700.

Edited by craiggo