RYA level 2 at Glenridding

Once again Steve and Pete provided us with three days of wonderful sunshine and gentle winds for our RYA level 2 course last weekend. I do not know how they manage it.

Our instructor, also called Pete, went through stuff in a thorough, unhurried way, and we gained a good understanding of a lot of things that we only had a slender grasp of at level 1. The same unhurried approach continued on the water, where we learnt to go about in a controlled manner. It inspired confidence that none of us were in wetsuits on the first day; he obviously expected to stay dry. Meanwhile Neil, our instructor at level 1, was coping with a big group of young teenage lads in canoes; what a hero.

There were three of us learning, rather than two for our level 1. What we lost out on by having less time at the helm, was more than made up for by the camaraderie and teamwork. We became very confident with one another, so that by the time we did man overboard on the last day, and the crew are not supposed to help because we were simulating being without crew, we were very happy curled up in the front, or enjoying the magnificent views.

We were very pleased to discover that man overboard was in fact a floating buoy, and not one of us. This was one of the few brand new skills, most of the course was fine tuning skills and understanding that we had at least some exposure to at level 1. Another new one was sailing backwards, which fascinated us, as did raising the centre board to get out of irons (pointing directly upwind) when the jib is not available.

We had plenty of experience of righting a capsized boat, none of it unplanned. It was good, because it gives us confidence when we go out without an instructor. We did find it a bit more of a struggle when you are eight stone than when you are seventeen stone. (I was in the middle).

As well as the practical stuff, we had some class room work to do. Sitting outside in garden chairs, looking out over Ullswater in bright sunshine - we had it tough!

What we have to do now is keep one another to the intention to get more experience, and not let our newly learnt skills and confidence get forgotten. That, and Pete's final comment to me - don't forget to pay attention to things outside the boat as well.