After fetching our Mirror dinghies from Theewater Sports Club near Villiersdorp we spent most of the week on various maintenence projects in preparation for Sundays Club dinghy racing at Imperial Yacht Club. It was great to see some of our past students helping out and providing skills transfer to our younger students.
Wednesday
As discussed, it was decided that we collect our Mirror dinghies and trailer from Theewaters Sports Club. We hired a 4x4 bakkie as the boats had been there since Easter weekend event due to transportation issues. We would like to say a big thank you to the Theewaters Club for taking care of our trailer and equipment and not charging us storage.
Thursday
We offloaded the Mirrors, the students were overwhelmed to see the boats returned as these are their racing boats that they attend competitions with, so it was a buzzing day and we were planing on doing the Imperial Yacht Club racing event the coming Sunday.
Friday
A few weeks before I had a meeting with Grant and he suggested we get into contact with the past Izivungu students (oldies). This was a great idea as I was in close contact with them. I created a WhatsApp group chat and since then we have about 20 oldies interested in coming to sail or just help out. On Friday, Marcello Burrics, who works for Sparcraft rigging, and Asanathi Jim, our Olympic sailor, visited us at our base at Simonstown. It was so great that they came to help students with setting up boats and giving helpful advice, this was a big motivation.
Saturday
Boat preparation was going well. The boats dollies needed work. Eldred was super busy with the work, screwing or glueing things back together, and replacing with new wood were needed. I suggest we get new dollies, preferably metal ones, as the existing dollies wood is very old. I am able to weld, I'm positive I could build them, we just need to get the materials. On that day our female star student, Daphny Jacobs, came to help out. She got stuck in with loading boats, showing students all sorts of different knots to be used when loading boats, amongst many other things. Eldred’s partner, Veronica, was also part of the activity. On the day she attended a meeting with church leaders in Simonstown, and she has managed to get food sponsored for students everyday of the week for the foreseeable future. This is a huge help with saving money on day to day food costs.
Sunday
A very early start with the pick up in Ocean View and Masipumalele. We arrived at Imperial Yacht Club at 9am with 14 students. We were happily recieved by the yacht club staff members and all willing to help. The racing started at about 11am with 8 mirrors in the fleet, great for good competition. This was only a club racing event with different cubs joining in, but turned out to be as great as a full on regatta. Many different boats taking part with a big mirror fleet. Racing was exceptional, students learned a lot, including better starts and sharpening up on the rules in a sailing environment. We are looking forward to joining with them for the next event.