Liverpool Yacht Club Skills Day
by Gaynor Portlock 6 May 2019 11:19 BST
28 April 2019
Member taking a yacht out of the slip for the first time © Gaynor Portlock
On Sunday 28th of April Liverpool Yacht Club held a "Skills day", which was organised by their Vice Commodore Paul Hampson and Andy Morley of Bluepoint Marine Services. Several of the club members, provided their yachts for people to practice on, as well as Bluepoint providing a rib and the club providing their motor launch, so there was lots of different boats, for members to jump aboard.
The session was open to all members, from their youngest at only 1¾, who only said "Boat", to the newest member, Carol Dolan, who said "I was made to feel very welcome. I enjoyed the day and everyone was very patient and friendly. Everyone is an inspiration and I am excited to continue my learning and becoming a supportive confident crew member in the future."
During the skills session, members were encouraged to ask questions and try new things for themselves. For example, one member - Jen Moreby - took a whole party down to the Albert Dock after merely an hours practice on the rib. Her smile said it all and the public in and around the Albert Dock had an opportunity to see LYC in action.
This first session was a taster, and Commodore Neil Thomas said "We now have some definite ideas on improvement. Getting wet in the dock wearing a dry suit and seeing just how you CAN get someone out of the water and back aboard is on the future agenda."
The club plans to do more "Skills days" in the future as it was a great way to get club members to mix, teach skills and for members to learn away from competitive racing, where everything has to be quick and little time exists for teaching and explanation.
The mother of the Club's youngest member said that he had clearly enjoyed himself apparently he spent the rest of the day saying "Boat! Boat! Boat!" right up until bedtime. A future sailor in the making?