Get More Active Get Together – Papercourt Sailability
Coalition members have been back to Papercourt Sailing Club for our latest Get More Active Get Together! This is always a popular activity with a well-organised and accessible sailing group. As always, we spend the week before looking closely at the weather and hoping for wind so that the sail boats will get out on the water. We were in luck this time and there was a good wind and although there was the threat of rain we just about managed to stay dry!
Jonathan and Brian both decided to give the dual access dinghies a go and they were on the first boats out onto the water. They had a really long sail and were flying around the top part of the lake with the occasional bit of help needed from the support boat as there were a few weeds clogging up the rudders! Jane, Jean, Yasmin and Katy took a trip on the crabber “Lady Jay” which was great fun with some exhilarating turns. There was higher wind than when we have visited before and the boat was really tipping as we changed direction – we weren’t sure if we were going to fall in or not but the crew were very experienced and assured us that we weren’t going to capsize. We also had a good long sail and were out on the water for over an hour enjoying the wind on our faces and the goslings that were swimming nearby.
The sail boats are accessed from a jetty with plenty of support from volunteers and a hoist if needed. For those that prefer to access a boat directly from land there is the Wheels on Water boat. This is a motorised boat that you can walk or wheel directly on to. Steve, Nikki and the two Davids chose the Wheels on Water boat for their trip and were soon speeding around the lake. We all managed to get back on dry land before the rain came in and enjoyed some homemade refreshments in the café.
You can see from the pictures that we all had a great time – if you’d like to try out sailing for yourself there is no need to book – just turn up during one of the session times. All sessions are run by volunteers and are free of charge. The next sessions are on the 9th, 16th and 30th August from 1.30pm until 4pm and you can find out more information here: Sailability – Papercourt Sailing Club
