RQYS Mainsheet 2021

Women on Water (WoW!)

FEATURE

FEATURE • WoW!

Learning, doing and enjoying are intertwined in sailing, RQYS Sailabration team member TANIA RYAN says, and very rewarding as well.

“Women in sailing as a sport will likely double in the next few years, because it’s wonderful, it’s not that expensive and we’re out sailing all afternoon!” An RQYS member for five years (and Yachtshare Ambassador to boot), Tania and her team-mates are passionate about events like ‘She Sails’ on the Sunshine Coast. “We work well as a team, we’re compatible and we’ve had different positions and roles on boats.” Her advice to other women thinking of getting their feet wet is to get aboard and take things slowly. “There’s no goal, no pinnacle, but it’s a journey,” Tania says. “There’s so much to sailing – there’s something for everyone and there’s bound to be a course that suits you. You need to take your time learning to sail, to understand different scenarios which can happen – and of course on Moreton Bay we’re surrounded by land, islands and lots of help!” The exhilaration of the experience out on the water is just one part of the appeal, says Tania: there’s also the lifelong learning which is integral. “I love racing and the speed you can get going, the lightness and agility. You feel part of nature out there and I love being able to read the winds and currents and weather!”

Equally inspiring in a more traditional field is the tenacious passion of Laser aficionado ‘IRON ANNIE’ EASTGATE, who’s imparting her lore and enthusiasm to new young sailors.

With what seems like dizzying speed across her adolescent and teenage years, Annie scaled the heights of state and national regatta competitions and, after so many ‘doing’ achievements, discovered her real passion today is ‘showing’ – teaching other youngsters that they, too, have the capability to disover, relish and someday excel in similar pleasures afloat. Members privileged to see a (often red) Squadron RhIB heading down-harbour on a schoolday morning with a gaggle of Tackers in train may be surprised to learn that’s an Annie initiative with RQYS and Gumdale State School. Supporting Gumdale students with a disability by incorporating a nautical flair in the Fine Motor Skills component of their physical education classes has demonstrated the added benefits of pattern planning, coordination and awareness of safety considerations.

“The program is about equity, where everyone gets a go,” says Annie, “and it’s a great opportunity for children with special needs to see if they can sail – because everyone is out of their comfort zone” under close and well- experienced supervision. “Sailing is a fantastic sport and it’s rewarding teaching kids that age that they can go out in a boat, have fun, individualise their experiences and learn new things.” As a Queensland Academy of Sport coach, Annie has also mentored new instructors, coached other Laser 4.7 sailors and Moreton Bay College school teams, and kept her hand in crewing across many Div.Yacht races. “As a coach, you need to know what your participants’ goals are: some are there to learn, others are hungry to win a medal, others just want to have fun.”

Mainsheet 2021

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