Royal Southampton Yacht Club

CADETS' CORNER

HAVING FUN ON THE WATER

Here we are at the start of another sailing season. The Cadet Working group has arranged a programme of events for younger members to get out on the water, have fun and learn or improve their boating skills.

The programme is aimed at novice and intermediate levels. There are some changes to the activities this year, some of the less supported events no longer appear in the programme but the popular Gins Great Easter Bunny Hunt is back.

For the first time this year we are holding Ocean Village Dinghy Sailing at the end of the Summer Holidays and hope that this will be as popular as Gins Dinghy Sailing. Both the Gins and Ocean Village events use Laser Picos or similar dinghies and are run under the expert supervision of RYA instructors.

This is a superb chance for youngsters to get out on the water and show parents what they can do. Both events are aimed at cadets aged eight and above.

Another new addition is the opportunity for older cadets to do their Day Skipper Theory course. This is a five day session to be held at the Ocean Village Club and is intended for cadets who will have finished their exams with time to spare before the end of term.

They will learn navigational, tidal and weather skills and it is the ideal course to attend before going on to Day Skipper Practical course.

So what's in store for 2007.

RIB Familiarisation at RSYC Ocean Village
Another chance to try RIB driving on a Ribcraft 585 with a Mariner four-stroke 90 hp engine. Cadets will be driving at speed in Southampton Water and testing boat parking skills in Ocean Village Marina.

Three half-day sessions are being run at the beginning of the Easter Holidays. To tae part you need to be at least ten years old and bring a parent along with you.

GINS – Great Easter Bunny Hunt. This event was a great success last year but is more than just a bunny hunt and should really be called GINS -Start of Season Social.

There is an Easter bunny hunt but also crabbing, crab racing and afternoon tea. Last but not least, weather permitting, plenty of opportunities to get out on the water in the club’s Wanderer dinghy, a 21 foot Hawk, a Topper, a Pico, a Topaz or even a rubber dinghy. You could combine this with the Cruising section’s Easter Rally.

Remember, if you do want to get out on the water, please bring some suitable clothing.

RSYC Ocean Village - RYA Day Skipper Theory.

Successful students will learn navigational, tidal and weather skills and receive an RYA Day Skipper Theory certificate. This is an ideal course to give you a head start if you go on to Day Skipper Practical, and is aimed at cadets aged 16 and above.

Gins Dingy days and Ocean Village Dinghy Sailing.

Gins Dinghy Days have always been a very popular event. but this year, in addition there will be a similar event at Ocean Village with the Gins event being at the start of the summer holidays and the Ocean Village event at the end. This is a two-day event and a chance to sail a dinghy under the guidance of RYA instructors. You will be sailing Laser Picos or similar dinghies and the Club's Wanderer. The Club's safety boat and plenty of support boats are provided just in car they are needed.

Cadets who have attended the Gins event have shown great improvement in their sailing ability and there are now a number of competent dinghy sailors in the Club. You can attend either or both events.

Bembridge Family Rally

This is a family event organised by the Cruising section and is based at Bembridge Marina. There are plenty of activities for cadets including kite flying, building sandcastles and an opportunity to explore the surroundings. Bembridge is well worth a visit and if you haven't been before... this could be just the chance.

As with all RSYC based cadet activities you can also bring a friend.
If you want more details or to take part, contact the Sailing Secretary at Ocean Village as soon as possible as there are only a limited number of place for some activities.