10 Steps to re-creating a Scary Sail change at sea, in the dark and in a gusting force 8 wind
This is the kind of experience I had during Part A Training on my third day of sailing ever. I'd like to share it with you...
(In Blue Peter tradition you will need: a playground with climbing frame and see-saw, a few friends to help, a bucket of water, a hose, warm clothing, water-proofs, a sheet of tarpaulin, a length of rope, some 3 inch wedge shoes, a large fan or two and a life-jacket - safety is paramount)
- First put on lots of layers of warm clothing (very important for sailing at night in October)
- Get your friends to help you into your waterproofs - they'll need to help you as by now your movement is severely restricted by all your layers. Don't forget to put on your lifejacket.
- Get another friend to hang the sheet of tarpaulin from the climbing frame (the see-saw needs to be situated close to this)
- Start the fans close to the tarpaulin, blowing directly at you and turn on the water source through the hose to create the effect of spray from the waves
- Stand on the see-saw - position yourself in the middle with a friend on each end. You should also have your 3 inch wedges on by now as this will help re-create the 45 - 60 degree angle the boat will be on
- Ask your friends on the see-saw to start bouncing up and down in a wild and erratic fashion to re-create the movement of the boat
- Get your other friend to drop the tarpaulin sheet - which you now need to gather up quickly and neatly onto the seesaw (boat) to ensure it doesn't get blown overboard
- Check that your friend with the hose has it pointed directly at you at this stage enuring a good deal of water runs down your neck thoroughly soaking your inside, now not-so-warm layers
- Now with the rope try and tie a bowline knot, keeping your balance while the person with the bucket of water throws it at you with some force - it's essential your friends on the see-saw are still bouncing away wildly
- Just when you think you're finished (and exhausted) do it all again - because the wind has changed - only this time with your eyes shut because it's night you can't see a thing
* Kids don't try this at home without adult supervision
** 'Grown-ups' don't try this - you'll break something. But if you are daft enough to try this please send me the photogprahic/video evidence
*** Better still, ask all your friends to sponsor you doing it and donate the proceeds on my Justgiving webpage
**** If you do this, you do it at your own risk and I accept no responsibility for any damage or injury received.