It was tough, it was a treat, it was a totally new experience, full of unexpected discoveries.
In March, one is expected to go up to the mountains to surf the white powder in the Alps to get sunshine and a tan. But ski boots or even the more flexible snowboard boots are not kind to my body shape, and I fail to feel the fun in going up and down a slope. So this year I signed up for a sailing course, from beginner to day skipper, with a RYA training centre based in south of Portugal. There are many more training centre but my main criteria were price, weather and a cabin on my own: Learn2Sail in Albufeira was a perfect choice for me.
Two weeks with 3 other mates and a very calm and reassuring instructor, I learned of the different basic sheets ('there are no ropes on a boat'), knots, and multiple names on the sail, the weather and the tides. I surprisingly learned the usefulness of a protractor, magnetic compass, and charting. It was very daunting at first but the days shone with a bright sun and there were so much to learn that any fear of sea sickness and major gaffe slipped away by breakfast.
I found that my cabin on board with just a double bed next to the engine, and a small cupboard, was enough to hold my 10kg belongings, and rest my head (after a day out paying full attention to what was around me and what was being taught). I slept really well with a sense of accomplishment every evening. I learned to push my physical limits, by making tea in the gallery when the boat is sailing close hauled (close to the wind), and I had to smile all the time to prevent the nausea. I held the helm for so long in a slanted position that my sides were aching at night, but I loved to see the bow crash the waves as we sailed ahead.
It was a full new experience to be fully in charge and be accountable for everyone on board, on the day I was skipper of the day. That feeling of not having nobody to lean on or rely on for any decision was frightening, but also such as thrill. As the mark the instructor said, 'there is no democracy on a boat, only a dictator'. Being used to follow or await somebody's decision, it was a time when I had to plan ahead every minute to bring the boat and the crew to safety. The course from Portimao to Lagos and back felt like an obstacle course, with marine farms, fishermen spots, surface rocks and wrecks...But once it was done, I learned to respect sailors, and mental additions and subtractions every minute (magnetic course heading vs true heading for example). I learned to evaluate and trust the crew mates.
But all in all, I really enjoyed the navigation, and learned to trust in me again.
In March, one is expected to go up to the mountains to surf the white powder in the Alps to get sunshine and a tan. But ski boots or even the more flexible snowboard boots are not kind to my body shape, and I fail to feel the fun in going up and down a slope. So this year I signed up for a sailing course, from beginner to day skipper, with a RYA training centre based in south of Portugal. There are many more training centre but my main criteria were price, weather and a cabin on my own: Learn2Sail in Albufeira was a perfect choice for me.
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| Albufeira beach |
I found that my cabin on board with just a double bed next to the engine, and a small cupboard, was enough to hold my 10kg belongings, and rest my head (after a day out paying full attention to what was around me and what was being taught). I slept really well with a sense of accomplishment every evening. I learned to push my physical limits, by making tea in the gallery when the boat is sailing close hauled (close to the wind), and I had to smile all the time to prevent the nausea. I held the helm for so long in a slanted position that my sides were aching at night, but I loved to see the bow crash the waves as we sailed ahead.
It was a full new experience to be fully in charge and be accountable for everyone on board, on the day I was skipper of the day. That feeling of not having nobody to lean on or rely on for any decision was frightening, but also such as thrill. As the mark the instructor said, 'there is no democracy on a boat, only a dictator'. Being used to follow or await somebody's decision, it was a time when I had to plan ahead every minute to bring the boat and the crew to safety. The course from Portimao to Lagos and back felt like an obstacle course, with marine farms, fishermen spots, surface rocks and wrecks...But once it was done, I learned to respect sailors, and mental additions and subtractions every minute (magnetic course heading vs true heading for example). I learned to evaluate and trust the crew mates.
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| Position charting from Portimao to Lagos, and back |
