Club setting sail for new members with free workshops

Alex de Vos
Torquay Sailing Club’s Mai Hordern enjoys the strategic side of her sport more than anything else.
“You have to learn about the wind and how to manage the boat and manoeuvre through the water,” Mrs Hordern said.
“It’s quite a tactical sport and that’s what I love about it.”
Sailing off Fisherman’s Beach with her family was also part of Ms Hordern’s love affair with sailing.
“The other great thing about sailing is you can take more than one person out on the boat,” she saids.
“We’ve got two kids and we can take them all out for a spin.”
Ms Hordern urged anyone interested in sailing to visit the club next month for a series of free beginners workshops covering everything from boat rigging to understanding the wind and weather.
“If the workshops are successful we’ll look at eventually opening a sailing school.”
Ms Hordern said memberships had declined amid the introduction and growing popularity of other watersports.
“A lot of people who were sailing switched to wind and kite surfing,” she sighed.
“We’re hoping the workshops will drum up some interest.”
The first Torquay Sailing Club workshop begins 10am on November 9.