Sailing

The sailing activity takes place at Port Edgar Sailing School, on the Firth of Forth beside the Forth Road Bridge. The school recently moved from using its own Mirror dinghies to hiring higher performance boats from the sailing school. In the future, the sailing club plans to develop its competitive sailing calendar and compete in a range of regional events.

Junior boys have the opportunity to sail in the Autumn term. Using Topper and Topaz dinghies, boys undertake a beginners' course and aim to work through the RYA junior sailing scheme. This year nine boys were awarded their RYA stage 2 certificates. Senior boys have the opportunity to sail in the Summer term. (Pictured left is Ben during a capsize practice). There are two courses available, for both experienced dinghy sailors and the less experienced. Competent helms and crew can hire a range of high performance boats such as Laser 2000s. Less experienced sailors undertake an improvers' course with instruction. This course usually involves Wayfarer and Topper dinghies. Both courses finish with a traditional fish & chip supper on the banks of Queensferry Bay overlooking the bridges.

In a new initiative this year, the senior boys who had finished their summer examinations were offered the chance to complete a week long senior dinghy sailing course. Seven boys and two members of staff took advantage of this opportunity. They were blessed with a week of almost perfect sailing weather and, at the end of the week, one boy was awarded an RYA Level 1 and the remainder of the boys, and the staff, gained their RYA Level 2 certification. It is expected that this will become an annual post exam activity.

Sailing is promoted at all levels. Boys with enough experience and commitment are encouraged to partake in Winter Race Training in preparation for the summer dinghy racing series. One of our boys is currently training with the East of Scotland squad and will compete in the Scottish Traveller Series in the summer. Other boys prefer to take on the bigger boats and work towards their yachtmaster qualifications in their senior years albeit in their own time. Finally the school owns and maintains a 'classic' Leader dinghy, donated to the school many years ago. This fabulous racing dinghy is sailed by the resident sailing staff each summer as they support the development of the boys' sailing.