It was a beautifully sunny day, slightly lacking in any wind but bright and dry. I packed my kit and lunch and then went to get dressed.

That’s when disaster struck – I somehow managed to split one of my contact lenses which isn’t good in any circumstances but sailing in glasses - except sunnys - is not good and the pair of my prescription glasses at the bottom of Portland Harbour supports this theory!

Anyway, I had no choice but to wear my glasses as I was due at the academy at 9am. I was really not happy but once I arrived I soon put it to the back of my mind.

OnBoard Club was enjoyable even as an (assistant) instructor as it is a great feeling when you volunteer to do something rather than having to do it.

Once again I spent some of the morning driving the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) under the careful instruction of Taz. The next course that I hope to do is my Power Boat 2.

If all goes well this will be early next year. Having a qualification such as the PB2 will allow me to drive the RIB and lay out the buoys for the courses that the dinghies then sail around.

This would give me greater flexibility in the tasks that I could undertake when volunteering and strengthen any application for paid employment at a later date.

At lunchtime, I was really pleased to meet up with two fellow sailors, Ross and Tom. We have been sailing our separate ways over the summer but for the last few weeks of the season it’s been great to be back together again!

Race club was good although not overly competitive as we were lacking in wind but all in all it was a good day, topped off by the opticians having a left contact lens for my prescription in stock!

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