The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A total of 10 students learned the ways of the water last week as they participated in a mobile sailing school. Held at the Main Beach in Denare Beach, the students learned the ins-and-outs of the Flying Junior and Pram sail boats. Nine youth students and one adult took in lessons over the course of four days last week as they learned about water safety and the basics of the sport. In past years, a sailing school has been offered to area residents in conjunction with the Manitoba Summer Games. This year, the course was open to youth and adults for the chance to develop an interest in sailing. 'I would say there are a number of folks around here who sail,' said Dave Price, who is actively involved in the sailing school. 'A lot of them are retired and they aren't getting any younger. 'It's nice to get the younger (students) involved so the pre cam club can grow in the future.' Price says he hopes to continue to 'be able to see boats on Beaver Lake and the other lakes, too' as the students continue to develop. This year's school taught about wind direction, how to control the rudder and sails, water safety, and the technical side of sailing _ to name a few lessons. 'The students start out in these tubs with a single sail. They start out basic and learning the beginning skills,' said Price. In previous years the school has had a great turnout with between 19 and 21 students. This year, 10 registered for the program. 'It's a disappointingly small number...and we're not sure on the low turn out this year,' said Price. Though, there were no complaints with the weather for those who did participate. 'The weather was ideal. We got very lucky,' he said, noting that in past years the wind and temperatures have often been too cold. 'I don't think we have been (as) fortunate with the winds and weather as we were this time,' he said. Instructors for the course travelled from Winnipeg with a trailer hauling 10 boats as they made their way to Denare Beach. 'It's a mobile sailing school so they visit various places in the province,' said Price. Price says he hopes to see this program continue for years to come. 'We hope some of them will be interested in doing it again next year,' he said, as all the students this year were new faces. The sailing school interested more than just those in the boats as children on the beach were eager to try as well. '...there were (children) from the local community wanting rides on the boats,' said Price, as an idea stirred between himself and Buzz Trevor. 'Maybe we can cooperate with the band and the Denare Beach Recreation Office and we could involve more of the local (children),' said Price, adding that there is a fee involved with the school. Continuing that it is 'just a thought for right now.' The sailing school encourages students _ both children and adults _ to try something different. 'We hope to do it again next year,' he says. 'But, we do hope we'll get more people.'
