MEOTA — We weren’t too sure when sailing lessons had last been held on Jackfish Lake, but we did know Battlefords Sailing Club was struggling with attendance and had to cancel due to a lack of interest. That all changed this year. The board of Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail decided that regardless of the enrolment, even at a loss to the club, we needed to go ahead and offer the lessons.
The lessons were hosted July 3 to 6.
Sask Sailing was also going through a rough patch. They were scrambling after their executive director resigned April 1. Fortunately, there was a highly qualified instructor in the province and several sailing clubs were able to come together and hire Karl Brady as head instructor. Karl is from Dublin, Ireland. He and his wife are presently living in Regina. Karl and two young assistants brought out the Sask Sailing mobile sailboats and gear. They brought five 420 sailboats and a Zodiac safety boat.
The 420s can accommodate two students. Luckily we had 10 signed up and started a waiting list. It wasn’t long and we had five more students, so we offered a second time slot. One class was from 1 to 4 p.m. and another from 5 to 8 p.m. In the end, there were 19 people signed up.
Monday, July 3r offered up incredibly terrible weather. Cold high wind conditions did not deter the head instructor. He taught us that even with unpleasant conditions, it’s possible to sail. We all learned how to properly rig the boat, tie the appropriate knots, and ensure all the ropes were properly positioned. One by one we ventured out with only the jib on the mast. The first boats out were able to complete the required swing around the buoy and back to shore. Then the wind shifted and it became impossible to sail north. The next boat was determined to go toward Tobi’s point and several of us weren’t sure why that was happening. The flag on the safety boat said it all. Truth be told, the conditions became impossible. Boats went over and students landed in the water. Fortunately, the lake is incredibly shallow and students could tow their boats back to shore. Once back at the beach, we all learned how to de-rig the boats and put everything away. The evening class repeated the exercise and virtually everyone made the most of the cold windy day.
On Tuesday everyone was required to rig their boat with their partner. Karl and his two assistants would encourage you to do it without coaching, but they also made sure it was done correctly. Wind conditions were much better and the sun was high in the sky. This time every boat had both the jib and main sail hoisted. We learned how to steer, tack, communicate as a team and read the wind. We learned the names of the knots and the equipment on the boats. We became familiar with basic terms like jib, main sail, daggerboard, keel, rudder, tiller, tiller extension, port, starboard, mast and boom.
One of the most important lessons for me was timing. Time indeed flies when you’re having fun. The weather co-operated nicely for the next three days, other than periods of no wind. We spent time scanning the horizon for signs of wind.
The final day was devoted to learning how to race. I think the assistants were planting the idea that Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail should host a regatta.
There was a good mix of girls and boys, young and old. We had lots of spectators who let us know it’s been far too long with no sailing on Jackfish Lake. We now have several young sailors who will be keen on sailing on the Lazor One Sailboats that MLPS owns and makes available to their members. Many people in the village have told us that they look forward to sailing boats on the lake. If you compare the price of learning to sail to other sports, it’s an affordable sport, especially when the boats are available.
The boats and sailors have left the harbour. Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail has revived sailing on Jackfish Lake. Community support has been incredible. One of the students came from Ottawa and another came from San Antonio, Texas. Sailing school director and club member, Patrick Eckerman came repeatedly from B.C. Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail now have more than 115 members. We now have a family membership from Ottawa, Ont. Our fundraiser was fabulous. We’re very grateful to the News-Optimist for the exposure. Several students said they saw it in the paper and signed up.
Thanks to our capable first vice-commodore Heather Hallgrimson, we also have a new website up. It won’t be long and I’ll be posting the best of the 420 photos that I took. Search for: MeotaPaddleSail.com
