My Sailing Experience (written by Vanessa)

Last holiday, I went sailing. It was really fun. I went with my friends, Katrina, Dominic, Gordon, Zhi Sheng and Jeffrey. The teachers who took us to Sembawang Yatch Club were Ms Jessica, Mr Ramadan and Mr Yaidi. It was a long journey.

When we reached Sembawang YachtClub, we waited in the lobby. Soon after, we went to a room where the sailing instructors divided us into different groups.Our instructor then taught us how to set up our own boat and how to balance the boat. Later, the instructor made us practise on wooden platform where there was a table and and two benches. After that, we had for lunch.

After lunch, we were paired off. I partneredwith Katrina, Dominic partnered with Gordon and Zhi Sheng partnered with Jeffrey. We learnt the capsize drill. First, we had to stand at the bow of the boat and try to pull the mask which is the pole that holds the sail.

On the second day, once we reached the yacht club,we went sailing. The wind was so powerful that it caught my boat and ZhiSheng's boat. The other sailors were safe as they were holding onto each other. Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning. Then a horn sounded, telling eveyone to return to shore. I tried to sail back to shore but the wind was too strong. I saw lots of toppers capsizing.Ieven. My instructor quickly drove a speed-boat over to rescue Zhi Sheng and me.

Then we had lunch.The weather was so fine after the storm that our boat moved really fast.

On the third day, the instructortold us that we would be on our own. We were really afraid because at first we had always sailed with our partner. But we were also very excited.When we set sail, I was the first one to capsize. Katrina fell into the water three times but her boat was still upright.

The last day was our graduation day. Our parents were invited. I saw my mother waving at me. I was very happy because my godsister and my godmother were also there.They were very excited to see me sail the boat. When I was sailing,my mother took photos of me.

I am thankful that my school gave me the chance to learn sailing. I learned about teamwork, patience and ways to manage things on my own. It made me very happy.