Posted by Jock on November 04, 2005 at 13:52:46 from 217.172.252.81 user Jock.
We can argue endlessly about AR's politics, his views about the role of women, or even the origin of the Amazons. Such arguements are the very essence of Tarboard, the reason why most of us are here. However, one thing that we can't argue about is AR's attitude to sailing. He is PASSIONATE about the sport. What's more he is an excellent teacher, he would have us all learn to sail. Read SA carefully and you have learnt the rudiments of sailing. By the end of SD you have also learnt what not to do, and you have taken part in a sailing race. To reinforce the lesson we learn to sail again with the D's in Coot Club. If we want to learn more we are tipped Knights "Sailing" as a handy reference guide. Finally, in WD we learn about the realities of sailing a small boat in on the sea in the dark, while SW is an excellent introduction to chartwork.
So why are some Ransomites put off learning to sail? Are there now too many barriers in the way of would be sailors? One of my daughters trotted off to the local sea cadets at the age of 9 because she wanted to sail. She was told to wait a year. She came back at age 10 and was told that because of insurance etc. She would not be able to sail till age 16. At the age of 15 she resigned out of boredom. Now she regrets her decision.
What do you think?