TALLINN - I've always loved being out at sea on a large boat. The vessel floats smoothly and quietly on the waves, and you can watch its wake from the stern. And if some other ship passes by, you can always scream with joy and wave your hands in hope someone waves back.
Expecting a similar experience, I decided to take some sailing courses.
On the first day I showed up dressed all in white, with a tiny handbag and a big smile, ready to sail. As soon as we learned how to get the boat working, I understood I had made the wrong choice of attire 's I was cold on the sea, and sailing is far too active a sport to wear white. In an hour I felt sick, was shaking with cold (I called them my "bravery shakes") and hadn't learned much, at least not in a practical way. I didn't quite understand how anyone could enjoy being on the sea when it's cold and the yacht is too tilted and shaky for anyone to feel safe on it.
Next time, I had to be the captain of the boat. My first lesson was a disaster, and the second did not turn out much better. I was holding the wheel, suddenly not knowing where the wind was blowing or where should I move. The teacher tried to console me, saying, "Look, everyone is smiling … except those two, who were taken to the hospital." I was humiliated enough and gave the wheel to someone else, thinking, "Now I know why pirates drank so much rum."
And then it was my third lesson, and somehow, everything changed. I was not cold, not dressed in white, and I didn't have to be captain anymore. The yacht we studied on tilted in the waves and wind and the speed was quite high. The sun was shining, and suddenly I realized I was really happy there on the yacht. Tallinn, from the sea, looked so small.
Bigger ships, the ones I like, shook our yacht as they passed 's and it was great. It's not as glorious as a big ship, but the feeling itself is like a new sense of reality. You work your best with what you have 's the sea and the wind. If it happens to be a sunny day, it's a plus, but if it's not, you don't have to go very far.
Even if you can't afford a yacht or are not sure if you like sailing at all, a sailing course is great for anyone who's willing to give it a chance. It's a completely safe way to learn and experience something new.
www.sailing.ee
