Confidence for Kyle

This morning we awoke to a beautiful day. By 7:30 Barry was itching to go down to the boat. We woke our 3 boys and prepared to leave. After a quick stop at the Heidelberg Pick n Pay, our new half way stock up store (partially for the good looking women, partially because Barry is still mad with our local Spar), we arrived at the marina at 10:30am.

Our first stop was at the WSM store next door; we have been looking for life jackets for a few weeks now but have not been able to find the type we want. Due to the new laws the only life jackets available are heavily padded with no zip. We already have the required orange life jackets on board and were looking for a comfortable item for Kyle and Rauen to wear on the boat. Especially for Kyle, I would prefer he wore it even when walking on the marina, just in case. We have been to every boat store within a 100km radius with no success so this was our last hope.

We were in luck today, we bought 2 front zipping life jackets which are perfect for our needs. Christmas present problem solved!



As we were going aboard we gave the kids the life jackets to wear and test. Kyle was much more comfortable and was even less scared on the boat.

The sail itself was wonderful, best sail in months! We sailed using only the main sail across the dam towards BP Bay. Once there we dropped our new Danforth anchor for the first time and used 3x depth for scope. The anchor took almost immediately and we looked around to line up 2 items ashore in 3 different directions to check we weren’t dragging. We were stuck.

Keagan, Rauen and myself quickly entered the water for a cool down swim and tried and tested the different life jackets in the water, all preferring the new ones. Kyle and Barry stayed aboard. Half an hour later, I got back on board and made hotdogs for lunch. Barry took a quick dip while I was cooking and was back by the time lunch was served.

Whilst eating we noticed the clouds building and darkening and decided we would head back immediately after lunch so as to avoid being caught in the rain again. We hoisted the main sail and Barry went to the bow to retrieve the anchor. I must admit I was a little worried as I have heard a Danforth can get stuck fast in mud but we did not even have to sail or motor towards the anchor. It came up easily with a quick tug and Barry lifted it onboard.

To get moving away from the stormy looking weather Barry returned to the cockpit immediately and tried to tack to get us headed back while I fixed the rope and chain of the anchor. Unable to tack (no water over the rudder) he changed tactic and gybed. We easily turned and started to pick up speed. We were travelling at 1 knot and decided that in order to outrun this weather we would need at least the headsail to, so out that came and we were on our way. Our speed now reached 3,5 knots on a beam reach, double this morning’s speed. We headed back towards the marina and we were faster than the approaching rain.

We beat the rain by a long shot and decided to take a quick swim in the pool before leaving. Rauen was feeling tired so opted to stay aboard and take a nap. The rest of us headed to the pool, Kyle still wearing his new life jacket.

Once in the pool Barry and I took Kyle and forced him to float on his back in the jacket. We then let go of him and he kept saying, “help me”, “help me” I replied, “put your feet down for yourself”. He tried and as soon as he realised he could float with the jacket on, no matter which way he turned, he wanted to try to swim.

I have been worried for months about trying to get him to swim, he panics whenever he gets in the pool, crying and fighting, refusing to get in further than the steps and crying even while we hold him and walk around the pool with him. Today he progressed faster than my wildest dreams, trying doggy paddle and breaststroke, swimming across the pool from shallow end to deep end and playing swimming games with Keagan. Already buying the life jacket has paid for itself! Kyle feeling confident in the water will make all the difference. I am so proud of him today!

As the rain darkened the sky we headed back to the boat to pack up and returned home.

It is twelve days to Christmas and we are going to put up the tree now, don’t forget to do yours too!