Suddenly there are signs of spring after months of grey and dreary winter. Time to think about brighter, lengthening days on the water, rather than short gloomy ones under torrents of it! In other words, it's time to fill in your Ladies Afloat Application Form and happily anticipate Thursdays full of fun and action among friends old and new. For those who have already enjoyed the varied activities, we have another great season coming up, offering lots of opportunities to try out new activities or to concentrate on improving skills and understanding. There is all sorts of water-borne action for the complete novice and for the experienced, as well as chances to have fun, make new friends and catch up with those made in previous seasons. We are a very varied group in terms of age and experience.
Although Ladies Afloat has grown in size over the years, it preserves its original aims. They are, to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where women members of RDYC can practise and develop sailing skills and sample other water-borne activities. Ladies Afloat does not aim to teach sailing but the programme offers a chance to try your hand at dinghies, keel boats, safety boats, Seine rowing boats, and general power boating and cruising. It offers grand opportunites to any woman who wants to discover the basics of sailing or to improve existing skills and understanding. There are theory workishops, practical exercises and - of course - social activities.
As well as providing a varied and enjoyable programme, a major objective of Ladies Afloat is to encourage the development of ladies' sailing skills within the Club and to support those members who are willing to train to become RYA instructors. This creates a body of expertise available to Ladies Afloat, to Junior Sailing and the broader activities of RDYC as a whole. These activities can only be offered through the generosity and enthusiasm of those who give their time and expertise, not just in sailing training but in many other supporting activities.
Ladies Afloat offers a great forum for anyone who wants to improve her skills, to gain confience and to extend her social life. The atmosphere is supportive, friendly and welcoming. If you would like to join us for the 2008 season, please fill in the application form enclosed with the Spring 2008 edition of Masthead. Further copies of the form can be obtained from the Club Office. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact one of us for an informal chat.
Viv Fairhurst, Co-ordinator, on 01803 844990
Anna Browlow, Secretary, on 01803 832651
| Thursday | Activities | Sailing Area |
|---|---|---|
| March 27 | Registration/RNLI/MCA | RDYC |
| April 24 | Come Boating - Shore based safety | RDYC |
| May 1 | Dinghies, keel, power | RDYC |
| May | Cruise to Torbay | |
| May 15 | Dinghies, keel, power | RDYC |
| May 22 | Dinghies, keel, power Lighthouse Beach Picnic Toppers |
Sandquay RDYC |
| May 29 | Seine rowing, power, members boats | RDYC |
| June 5/6 | Cruise to Salcombe with overnight stay | |
| June 12 | Dinghies, keel, power | RDYC |
| June 19 | Dinghies, keel, power | Sandquay |
| June 26 | Dinghies, keel, power Maypool luncheon |
RDYC Maypool |
| July 3 | Dinghies, keel, power | Sandquay |
| July 10 | Cruise Start Bay or up river | RDYC |
| July 17 | Dingies, keel, power | Sandquay |
| July 24 | Fun sail and picnic |
Ladies Afloat Co-ordinator: Viv Fairhurst 01803 844990
Secretary : Anna Brownlow 01803 832651
Cruising: Pam Macey 01803 732163
Squint: Sivia Butler 01803 842140; Liz Sommer 01803 834383
The afternoon activities are optional and subject to early commitment and availability. All activities subject to weather conditions.