Trainees take to the water

Plenty of avid watergoers are making the most of the Broome Sailing Club's Learn to Sail initiative, with eight trainees having their first full lesson without an instructor on board earlier this month.

The initiative gives those eager to study the basics of sailing a chance to learn from the masters and is run by BSC principal training officer John Dayman.

The students have been learning how to rig the yachts themselves, covered an array of necessary knots for sailing and conducted a capsize drill.

They have also picked up steering and helming techniques and can now recognise the various angles of sailing into the wind.

The eager students were entrusted to have three short races, with trainers on hand to ensure their safety from support vessels.

Dayman said the students had taken to their new tasks well and thoroughly enjoyed the course.

The next Learn to Sail courses will start next month and places are almost full.