Yacht Master Theory

[Carien du Plooy]

Well, it has been a LONG winter. With the exception of a lovely sailing holiday in the Grenadines in April 2010, I've not been out on the water all that much. Money seems to be going elsewhere at the moment. I did manage to book my Yacht Master Theory class through an acquintance from my yacht club.

It was to be held at the Barclays building in Canary Wharf (serious banker area). The course was hosted by The London Sailing School and also ran over 2 months of one night a week and a weekend at the end.

Wow! If university work was this interesting I would have performed much better. I couldn't wait to get up in the mornings and sit on my newly acquired extendable desk I bought specifically for chart work. I would make a cup of coffee, switch on the table lamp and sit for 40mins to an hour before I'd have to get up and get ready for work. I enjoyed it beyond measure. SO many interesting things to learn....I really enjoyed it.

I was panicking towards the exam day at my competency, but I proved my worries to be unneccesary when I ended up top of the class. Wow - I didn't see that one coming. Time to take another look at myself and rebuild my view on myself as a very competent sailor - up there with the rest of them.

It seemed to have worried me that I'm not a hardened, butch female and that fact would hinder my advancement, but now I refuse to believe it. You can be a lady and be a good sailor - the two are not mutually exclusive.

Now for some serious mile builders. But I think I'll wait until I've settled in the States for that, which, God willing, will be within the next 7 months. UK winters are too unpleasant to be out on the water, in my opinion.

It would appear that I might yet get my Yacht Master Certificate before I turn 40! That was the goal at the outset. I would be much impressed, as I've never set a goal for myself and it would seem that I am well on my way to realise my goals.....this sailing thing is full of life lessons it would seem!