While waiting with Scott on the beach for the boys to return, (and before we "lost" him) we spotted this very small boy pulling his boat up the beach with his Mum and another even smaller boy in the boat getting a ride. Mum stopped a little bit in front of us and told the little sailor to wait there while she went back and got "Johnny". Off she goes again way down the beach and little "Sammy" is left there looking after his "Opie" (as they call them here) and even littler "Joey". So we say wow he's a small sailor and ask him how old he is. "Six" comes the reply. WOW we thought and proceeded to have the age old debate about how young is too young to start them. I started when I was 5 or 6 because my older brother was sailing a P class. I had my ups and downs but went on to sailing as part of a career. I personally think we should encourage those that want to start their kids early to do so if they think that is good for them.
Anyway, Mum returns with the next sibling and "Opie" in tow and then starts getting them all up the beach. Scotty asks the 6 yo if he had had a good sail and if he is going out again tomorrow and gets a really positive "yes" in return!
The UK Nationals this year have some 440 participants. In addition to the Senior and Junior racing fleets (which are also split into Gold and Silver fleets after 6 races) there are 3 levels of what they call "regatta" fleet. The racing fleet, equivalent to our Green fleet, then a coached race fleet and a sort of "learn to sail" fleet. I guess the octopus is a group of the the LTS. ie lots of progressive levels for encouragement through chances of success. Must be a few future Olympians here.
As reported by Scott, (how he knew that from his position on the beach I'm not quite sure) Leonard got called over the loud speaker system to report to the race office. We headed over there wondering what he had done wrong but it turned out they wanted him to make the "Sportsmans Oath" (or whatever you call it) on behalf of the International competitors at the opening ceremony. He accepted and here are a couple of iphone zoom pictures (quality not good when you zoom)
Start at 5
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