My first time
Sailing, salsa dancing and creating a still-life painting – three readers reveal how they overcame their nerves to try challenging new hobbies as part of our My First Time series
I’ve lived by the south coast for more than 30 years and, apart from hiking along the coastal paths or a quick swim in the sea, I didn’t make use of it that much. I’d always see lots of people sailing out on the water and it seemed like a lot of fun, but it never felt like it was something that fitted into my world as a working single mum.
With two daughters to look after, Emily, now 29, and Lucy, now 25, I didn’t have time for hobbies when they were younger, but even after they had flown the nest, I was apprehensive about trying an activity that felt so unknown and different to me. Instead, I kept it aside on my ‘to-do’ list for years.
When I finally arrived for my sailing lesson, I felt nervous but also excited. It hadn’t sunk in that I was about to try something I’d only ever watched other people do, but my biggest fear was capsizing!
Georgie Waite, my instructor, quickly put my mind at ease by going through all the safety information first. She was very thorough, so I knew I was in safe hands. She then asked me whether I wanted to learn on a single boat or a two-person boat. I chose the latter because it’s the one my daughter Lucy’s boyfriend has. I hadn’t told them I was taking a sailing lesson, thinking it would be amazing to surprise them by saying ‘I can do it!’ next time he asks for some extra crew help.
Before we set sail, Georgie explained the different parts of the boat, including port and starboard sides, the tiller and the sheets. She sailed us away from the shore, before letting me take control
of the helming. At first, I was nervous, but Georgie was so reassuring that the feeling quickly faded.
Instead, being out on the open water and in charge of the boat felt so incredibly liberating. But most of all, I was fascinated that we were moving solely with the power of the wind.
I loved it so much that a part of me wished I had tried sailing earlier.
What surprised me the most was how much you have to remember and how focused you have to be at all times. Not only do you have to pay attention so
I’m proud of myself for doing something so entirely new you’re not going off course, but you also have to watch out for other boats and remember to adjust the sails and the tiller every time you change direction.
There’s so much more to learn and it’s a lot more energetic than I imagined but I loved it and I’m proud of myself for doing something so entirely new.
I think e
