I'd only been out sailing once before, and not really put much effort in! But I wanted to make the most of living by the sea while here in Brighton. When I contacted BSUS, Steve (Heap) put me in contact with Brighton Marina Yacht Club and recommended I took Club Class. It was how he'd got into sailing and it's been the introduction for quite a few BSUS members. It's a six week course, open to all abilities, and they offer a reduced rate if you're with the Students' Union. What student can resist a bargain like that?
The guys at the Marina really want you to enjoy yourself and make the most out of your time down there. In the six weeks you have with them, you get the chance to try out a number of different size boats and to help out in all areas. You get to grips with being out on the water and familiarise yourself with all the boat jargon and knot-tying, plus you get to exercise
your competitive side with the races they run. Even if it's dinghy sailing you're interested in rather than yachts, it's a
great place to start. And if you've already got a bit more experience it's still a real opportunity to make use of the yacht club at a student rate!

Steph Wells

April 2007

Brightsex, the Brighton and Sussex Sailing team entered the gauntlet of the Sunsail Student Yachting Nationals 2007.  The team for this included 8 trusty crew members of various nautical pedigrees, but undeniable bravery including; ‘Superstar’ Steve, ‘Alchoholic’ Adam, ‘Pirate’ Nicki, ‘Main-man’ Chris, ‘Trimmer’ Abi, ‘Tough-guy’ Oli and ‘the engine room team’ of Tara and Sarah.  With extremely limited experience, we set off to ‘Hamble’, where the fun began and having received a bet that we couldn’t finish outside the bottom 5, we were a team on a mission. 

After a few manic trips to the Chandlery by Steve, we sailed off for race day 1.  It was a good days sailing, with a light breeze and a beautiful shine beating off the Solent waters.  We had been keeping a respectable position throughout the day, until the last race, where we found ourselves rooted in last place on the home stretch.  We considered a bit of light ‘fosters’ refreshment to be nowhere short of necessary. Having popped our cans, the sails filled and, to our delight, we watched about eight boats slip behind us!   

Day two was a less ‘perfect day’, with the memorable quote of, ‘we’re all going to die!!’  We had a little tangle with what could only be described as ‘a healthy amount of wind’ and a move that is known in boating circles as the ‘death role’.  After losing two of our finest overboard, we resisted the temptation to abandon, turned, retrieved and retired for the day. 

Day three was glorious sailing weather, with the lowest wind thus far and serious ‘Bermuda shorts’ sunshine.  It was also the day with a race that lasted over 6 hours!  Fuelled by a healthy supply of Haribo and Hula Hoops, we just assumed our positions and thanked our lucky stars that this was the sport that we had chosen for a hobby. 

Day four was wind free and therefore race free.  After a few games, a bit of bare-foot waterskiing and other random banter on the start-line, we decided that the race would never be and it was our duty to head to the nearest and nicest pub for a spot of ‘real sailor food’.  It was an extremely pleasant end to a few days filled with the highs and lows of the wave riding sport of sailing…

Adam Powley – Helm, Sussex Commodore