Shut the F up and go sailing

17 students from a local high school hit the water today to take sailing head on and enjoy the backyard in the area of which they dwell.

No thought of politics, no question of insurance, just sailing as it was intended without the fuss and huff that is threatening the very life of the sport in general.

It’s time to take a step back and realise just how lucky we were when someone introduced sailing to us as kids. The life change this one sport inflicted upon our very existence and the foundation of which we are today is the reason we encourage others to become involved.

However in the distance there are many issues that can disrupt the sheer enjoyment of smashing your boat and crew through the water. Rumours and innuendo can create conflict and jeopardise our racing pleasure by polluting our minds with ill thoughts based on nothing more than random banter that evolves out of control.

Sure there are certain things that can affect our sailing and of course we should always protect our safety as a priority, however think about the situations that you put yourself into for a laugh because at the time it was the thing to do and you acted on impulse regardless of the consequences.

Night time drunken sailing? This one comes to my mind. Something I’m sure we have all been involved with at some time or another without second thought of what may happen if things turned pear shaped.

Take a moment to think about all the risks you have taken whilst on the water. You choose to do them, you choose to be involved, however who should take the blame if something when astray and perhaps you were injured?

I think it’s time we all took responsibility for our own actions and made decisions about those actions based on personal thoughts. Don’t let rumours interfere with your life and do not base your doings on hearsay.

Get out there, go sailing, and leave the baggage at home.