We consider our beachcombing outing at Sunrise on Sea on 7 December 2012 to be our first real beachcoming outing, even though we have sometimes brought home a few seashells or small pieces of driftwood over the years. This particular beachcombing outing had purpose.
“We had joy we had fun, we had seasons in the sun …” Ah yes, seems like a million years ago that Seasons in the Sun was a top hit on Springbok Radio, and it was played near to death by Clackie Mackay, David “the gruesome gresh”, “keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars” Gresham and the like… Esme Everard and Jan Cronje. Rocco Erasmus.
Ah, to body surf! I’m a little afraid of the ocean these days. I worry about tidal waves and sharks, and being sucked deep into the ocean, beyond the breakers, by a backwash current. As a kid, though, I loved to swim in the ocean (especially at …
If you are a newcomer to dinghy sailing, and are now ready to buy your first sailing dinghy, there are a few guidelines you need to follow. Your first sailing dinghy will often be the reason you give up sailing as something only madmen do, or, it will convert you to a happy life of uncomfortable, cold, wet weekends.
A true dinghy sailor is a multi tasking professional. Although sailing can be strenuous, it is not overly demanding physically. As a restful pastime very little can beat sailing, although racing a sailing dinghy can be very tense and often stressful.
There is something addictive about dinghy sailing. That feeling of freedom, of being at one with your sailing dinghy, the wind, and the water … The 9 year old, skippering her Optimist to a club race win knows the feeling; A 13 year old Dabchick skipper getting his Dabchick planing for the first time knows the feeling.