A dull morning start gradually shifted to Pender sun later in the sailing day. Our FJ crews focused on the all-important man overboard routine as fluky winds bedeviled their attempts to provide succour. Asides from the obvious life-saving aspects, this process emphasizes boat control under duress – as many of our participants quickly found it. Based on a point of maximum inconvenience, crews drop a life preserver at the sound of the instructor’s whistle. Fortunately we did not insert a large watermelon into each preserver – but we always reserve the right to do so at a future point! (A slippery heavy melon certainly adds a touch of realisme).

By noon bright sunshine returned, providing an opportunity to capture our Laser fleet beached and awaiting their Captains.  This shot included our crash boat in action as well a Flying Junior in the background. The afternoon concluded with Lasers practicing racing maneuvers and our FJ’s continuing with the overboard drills. Friday will be the picnic run to the far end of Browning Harbour and our Lasers will be putting their racing expertise to use, including the dry-roll demonstrated in the final beach run at the end of the day.