Rediscovering the joy of sailing at Coldham Hall Sailing Club - Janet and Tim's story

Janet and Tim Morse initially started sailing more than two decades ago - Janet completed her RYA Level 1 & 2 courses over 30 years ago but didn't have the chance to sail regularly afterwards, while Tim sailed as a crew on a Yeoman at Horning Sailing Club for a few years around 20 years ago but had to stop due to work and family commitments. Despite the time elapsed, their passion for sailing never waned.

31 Jul 24

Janet & Tim smile for the camera whilst sailing a boat

Challenges

Upon planning their retirement for 2021, Janet and Tim were eager to re-engage with sailing. They signed up for the Try Sailing course at Coldham Hall Sailing Club (CHSC) in the summer of 2018. Although they completed the course, their sailing progress was hindered by various factors including time constraints, the COVID-19 pandemic and family issues.

Re-engagement with Sailing

In the summer of 2022, with life becoming more settled, Janet and Tim began visiting CHSC more frequently, and Tim was able to sail mostly on Sundays, crewing on Yeomans or Wayfarers during club races, whilst Janet tended to sail midweek on downriver social days.

To further their skills and confidence, they took their RYA Level 2 course at Barton Turf Adventure Centre on Barton Broad in August 2022. This course significantly bolstered their sailing knowledge.

By the summer of 2023, they had taken part in refresher sailing sessions at CHSC, however, despite their progress, coordinating their schedules, weather, and tides to sail together as a couple remained a challenge. In the meantime, Tim has secured a regular crewing spot on a Yeoman on Sunday mornings, and Janet continues her midweek sailing whenever possible.

Community and Club Involvement

Janet and Tim said that they were made to feel very welcome at CHSC, where members generously offered them spots on their boats. They have actively participated in club activities both on and off the water, including contributing to working parties during the closed season and attending social events like Christmas lunches, quiz nights, and talks on racing rules.

Future Aspirations

Janet and Tim aim to further their sailing experience by sailing the club Wayfarer, to build confidence their confidence so that they can enjoy days on the river at their leisure. Tim also enjoys the competitive aspect of Sunday racing as a crew but acknowledges that competing in their own boat is not an immediate goal, and while owning their own boat is a future consideration, it is not a realistic priority at present.

Encouragement to Aspiring Sailors

Janet and Tim wholeheartedly encourage others to explore sailing by attending the 'Try Sailing' course at Coldham Hall Sailing Club. They emphasise that once basic skills are acquired, sailing offers a number of benefits, from various levels of engagement, from social sails to competitive racing; a unique way to appreciate the local environment and wildlife from a completely different perspective; and opportunities to meet new people, enjoy fresh air and exercise, and develop a new skill.

For more information about Coldham Hall Sailing Club visit http://www.coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk/ or for further information as to how to get out on the water in the East Region, visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating.