On selected evenings, pupils from the high school in Milton head up to Lake Waihola to learn how to manage their sail, hull and rudder, catch the wind and tack around a simple course of buoys under the eye of Waihola Sailing Club instructors.
When the sailing club offered the school’s Mt Zion youth group access to its designated youth nights, sports co-ordinator Leanne Burgess was keen to go along to help out and to see if sailing was something the school could offer as a sporting option.
"I discovered Toko High had indeed been involved in the past and even donated a Starling [sailboat]," Mrs Burgess said.
"After some discussion it was decided it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up — and right on our doorstep, too. I started to gauge interest, bought a membership and then gathered students who were interested. We began this term and as sailing is weather-dependent, we have had three meets so far. Group numbers are small just now but we have had a lot of success and smiles."
Pupil sailors had to pick up the set-up of an Optimist [sailboat] and use of the figure-8 nautical knot before learning to ride the wind and water with the help of Gil Campbell, Oliver Russell, Thomas Clark and Van Thompson, of the Waihola Sailing Club.
Mrs Burgess said the plan this term was about "giving it a go," but there were hopes to grow interest and participation in the sport and eventually enter into local events.
