Boat kids making their own sails
This fun video shows what the youngbarnacles kids get up to while land locked in the marina.
OK, so it helps that your Mum is a sail maker and that there is a sail loft right next door. I guess it also helps that these kids spent the entire Spanish lockdown hiding in the sail loft with me while I made a new main sail for Paikea. They can’t help but pick up a few tricks. But we have been impressed with the extent of their dedication, and the variety of sails they have produced. First was a square top mainsail, with a head so big they couldn’t tack because it kept hitting the back stay. Next was a jib (for some reason this needed to also be square top ) they were pretty disappointed that this one didn’t work. Things improved with the first spinnaker they made – although it wasn’t big enough, then a stay sail and another main sail is currently under construction. They are getting pretty good at recutting sails and using the sewing machine. They made a great cover for the outboard engine the other week and I’ve lost count of how many model boat sails they have made. It’s so good to see them learning new skills. What’s best is that they don’t seem to get discouraged if one of their designs doesn’t work the way they had planned.
The boat they are sailing is called a Gos16 sailing boat. It is the boats used by the Valencian Yacht Club for disabled sailors. https://www.fdmvalencia.es/es/clubes-deporte/vela-adaptada/ The children help out every week in assisting with organising racing or taking part in the events themselves. They also assist with cleaning ing and maintenance of the small yachts.
In return, they are allowed to use the yacht for their own pleasure. It is wonderful to see the children involved in a sport and assisting others in the Valencian community.