NSC’s Social Day-cruising program underwent a post-pandemic reboot this season. Cruising sailors were finally able to gather again to enjoy time on the water, good company and the wonder of wind propulsion.
This season we explored a variety of formats; hoping to find one that suits the club’s objective of “providing great social and boating programs for all ages”.
To that end, we organized 12 events, only one of which had to be cancelled due to high winds. We had a fleet of 10 boats to draw on, with a total of 40 crewing sailors. Our biggest single event put a seven-boat flotilla on the water with a combined 29 owners and crew.
We practiced skills including helming, docking, anchoring, man overboard, heaving to, kedging from mud shoals, and rescuing paddle boarders overwhelmed by the wind.
Crews come from many different backgrounds: there are those who simply want to find out what sailing is all about; there are those who have graduated from a sail training course but who haven’t yet bought a boat of their own; there are those who do own a boat but who also welcome opportunities to sail with (and learn from) others; and there are those who have copious sailing experience but who now deny themselves the pleasures and labours of boat ownership. The program also provides experienced sailors a rewarding opportunity to help in developing the next generation of cruising sailors. Without exception, these are active, sociable people.
Sailors looking to challenge themselves in heavier air found what they were looking for in July. But August and most of September produced some relaxing afternoons on the lake.
On several occasions the flotilla rafted up to swim and picnic. These events provided a great opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and exchange tips and tricks.
Once docked, the group would meet up on the club deck to swap anecdotes and build their list of sailing contacts.
If you are a boat owner, why not join the fleet and participate from time to time? Participating doesn’t necessarily involve augmenting your regular crew. But it will greatly expand your network in the club and get you on the water more than ever before.
Back next year, bigger and better!