You get a certain feeling when sailing.
Sarah Townsend, 12, simply feels free.
“You can just kind of pick a destination and go to it,” she said. “There aren’t many limits to it.”
Life jacket strapped on and hair still damp, Sarah had just finished up day three of the Youth Sailing Camp offered by Two Rivers Country Club at Governor’s Land.
The five campers spent the sunny afternoon sailing 420s, or 4.2-meter racing boats, around the James River at the mouth of the Chickahominy, by the country club’s marina, as instructors Sam Foxx and Harrison Forrest looked on.
Sailing instruction is something Two Rivers has long offered in summertime.
“It’s an opportunity for sailors, whether beginners or intermediate … to build on their sailing skills,” said harbormaster Renie Martin.
Though camps wrapped up Friday, private sailing lessons for youth and adults continue into August.
Max Cooper, 9, said he had taken two private lessons prior to joining the camp for the first time. He wanted to continue learning to sail.
“It’s fun being on the water,” Max said. “I like just looking at the water because it’s pretty beautiful.”
Max said he’s learned a lot about the 420 sailboat, including using the boat’s jib sheet. He also learned more about sailing an OPTI, a smaller sailing dinghy built for children’s use.
Martin said campers, in one week, cover everything from boat and water safety, to finding wind direction and learning basic navigation.
The camps, in addition to elevating sailing skills, taught elements of racing as well. Foxx said private lessons offer instruction tailored to participants’ skills.
The art of sailing, though, is about more than just skill or technique.
“I think it teaches you discipline and respect of the water,” Martin said.
Sailing is challenging, Foxx said, but rewarding.
One challenge faced, for example, could be sailing with light wind, something campers have experienced.
“You have to make more use out of the little wind that you have,” Truitt Flippen, 11, said.
Ian Townsend, 14, described another challenge.
“It can be hard to grasp where the wind’s coming from and what you have to do with your sails in order to get anywhere,” he said.
This was Ian’s second time participating in the Youth Sailing Camp. And Sarah, Ian’s sister, joined him this summer at camp for the first time. The siblings said their dad is a sailor. They hope to continue learning to sail, and even mentioned the potential of one day racing with their dad.
“(Sailing is) something that you can take with you for the rest of your life,” Martin said. “And some people will continue to sail for the rest of their lives
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
Private sailing lessons
When: Available through Aug. 12
Where: Two Rivers Country Club Marina
Cost: $75 for three hours
To register: Contact Renie Martin at 258-4863 or renie@tworiversclub.com.
