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Learn to sail
courses offered for adults, youth |
by
Treena Mielke
Sylvan Lake News
For
Elaine Seifridt sailing is an exciting new experience and one
that she has decided will become part of her lifestyle.
Seifridt, who moved to Sylvan Lake a few months ago, had never
been on a sailboat when she decided to sign up for the ‘white
sails learn to sail’ crew and race series earlier this month.
“I loved it,” she said. “It was totally exhilarating. I didn’t
have a clue, but I saw the ad in the paper and I was new to
Sylvan so I thought I would give it a try. I thought the sail
boats were so beautiful.”
Seifridt, who also enjoys golfing, said sailing has edged its
way to top priority in recreational activities.
“Definitely it’s the sailing. It made you feel like a free
spirit. It’s good for the soul.”
Don Olser, from Red Deer, also signed up for the lessons.
“I’ve never sailed before this summer and I thought I would like
to try it. It’s been a good experience, learning to sail and
crew. I’m going to try and get out on the Wednesday night sails
as well.”
Graeme Strathdee, flight captain for Sylvan Lake Sailing Club (SLSC)
said 44 people signed up for the sail, crew and race series
which included going out on the water three nights in June and
three nights in July.
“We had quite a bit of interest,” he said. “The first night we
had bad weather and it was a little bit dangerous, but it worked
out all right.”
Strathdee said taking out novice sailors gives them a chance to
have some “on the job training. You learn the skills while you
are doing it, you just have to learn fast.”
The sailing club held the white sails learn to sail, crew and
race series as a marketing experiment to attract new members,
said Strathdee.
“We’ve also thought about running a charity sail,” he added.
SLSC held introductory sailing lessons for children this week
(Monday to Friday) under the direction of Joan Moore. Sailing
instructors were Melanie Grell and Cam McCelland from the
Northern Alberta Sailing College.
Moore said the lessons gave youth, aged 10 to 15, the
opportunity to learn the basics of sailing by using Optimists
(introductory training boats).
“I learned to sail on Lasers on Sylvan Lake 10 to 12 years ago
and it was an absolute blast,” she said.
Children who complete the sailing lessons are eligible to
receive their white sail 1 certificate.
The sailing club has about 80 members. |
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