Day One : Ellen MacArthur Trust Residential Dinghy Week
Whereas on-board bunking, warming cuppas and the familiar surroundings of Cowes are the well-established mainstays of the EMT trips, it was all about wetsuits, capsizing and getting extremely wet as the kids enjoyed a very different kind of sailing experience on the Blackwater River.
Having arrived on Sunday from far and wide and bonded over crate racing, crane building and quite possibly the most competitive game of Uno ever to grace the East Coast, the group, divided into three, took to the water to test their sailing mettle in three types of dinghies Monday morning.
Unlike with all previous EMT trips, when the sailing has taken place on bigger yachts, with steering wheels, winches and cabins, dinghy sailing sees the crews steer with tillers, pull ropes and brave the elements.
It is an environment where nowhere can hide.
And no-one wanted to as the three groups were divided on to three different types of dinghies – Bradwell 22s, Oysters and Dart 16 catamarans - to see not only if they could remember the yachting basics but if they could apply them to much smaller, more responsive boats.
After lunch, everyone’s competitive streaks got a full work out with class races around the river.
And when you have someone as competitive as Ellen MacArthur on board as well, the racing took on an extra edge!
The day culminated in high ropes, archery and a trip out in a fishing vessel for the groups who fell into bed tired but excited about the prospect of two more days of becoming dinghy masters.
If day one has been anything to go by, the dinghies are in for some serious testing the rest of the week. Oh and the kids some serious fun!
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