October 06th, 2020

Yesterday, I taught 18 kids between 8 and 12 years old how to sail.  One kid, Aaron, was the size of a 16 year old, if not bigger.   He sat squashed in an Optimist for a day and it was obvious he was going to hate sailing by the end of the week. 

So I put the TIWAL 2 in my car the following day.  All of a sudden he became focused and alive as blended in with the group. He no longer had to feel bigger, heavier and slower than everyone else.  The group had the benefit of Aaron's equally large personality.  He was shouting and laughing as he grew in confidence and the rest of the group seemed to draw on his energy. 

So now, whenever I teach a group, I know to put a TIWAL in the car! 

Here is an adult's experience of dinghy sailing for the first time: 
About twenty years ago, I decided sailing was not for me. My brother urged me to climb into his little ‘Corsair’ for a sail. I’d finished my Uni degree in Sports Science. I was passionate about craft design, training and coaching. I had rowed surf-boats, paddled surf-racing skis and represented Australia in sprint kayaking. Within less than a minute of climbing down into the Corsair, I remember thinking, “Stuff this! I’m cramped, uncomfortable, tangled in ropes, ducking a boom; and I already have a wet ####! No wonder nobody sails around here!” I was out! Compared to the simplicity and freedom of other water-craft, I thought sailing a dinghy was a nightmare. I would still feel the same today if I hadn’t tried Melinda’s TIWAL Sailing Dinghy. I love sailing today.

​by Robert Dickson BHMS, Sunshine Coast, Australia.