Mucking about in boats

“There is nothing half so much worth doing as mucking about in boats. In them or out
of them, it doesn't much matter."
— The Water Rat, Wind in the Willows

Sailing is a sport that is often associated with the rich — and no wonder when the dominant images are of celebreties on their big and beautiful boats or the America's Cup, a competition
that floats on an ocean of money. The good news is you don't have to be a millionaire to sail, as Kansai's keen sailors Bill Payne and Dave Gomez let KS know. These long-time Kansai residents are giving non-celebrity newcomers their first experiences of mucking about on the water.

“Sailing offers many things from a quiet, relaxing time, to a highly competitive sport” says Gomez an independent instructor who has been sailing for over twenty years. He sails a 26-foot Yamaha keel boat. Payne, senior sailing instructor and owner of BLISS (Bill's Little Informal Sailboat School) has been sailing for many years and has made several international passages as crewman. He is ASA certified and currently sails a 21-foot Yamaha keel boat.

Is sailing for you? Yes, if you enjoy being outside and on the water and don't mind getting wet. You can learn the basics of sailing in a short period of time and can spend the rest of the time honing your sailing skills, learning to sail well. If you're up for a challenge then this is the sport for you.

Sailing will constantly challenge you; the wind and weather conditions change easily, which can require you to react just as quickly. Some would say sailing is best suited for those with a lot of patience. Even though the basics of sailing can be learnt in a short period of time, there is, in fact, a lot to learn which can be irksome for those wanting to get it locked into the memory bank as soon as possible.

Perhaps you won't be circumnavigating the globe after a handful of lessons — but a trip round the bay is as much of a challenge and no less a satisfaction for the less experienced.

Payne and Gomez tell me about BLISS operations one day out sailing. The sun's up and there's a slight breeze as we head out of Kobe Marina in Nishinomiya and sail towards Sakai before turning around and heading back to land.

“This is the course we take beginners on” informs Payne. Beginners take lessons on Payne's 21-foot Yamaha keel boat which is “designed to make learning fun, safe and easy. It's set up to provide easy sailing”.

Beginners can take a four-hour course which is an introduction to sailing or an eight-hour course covering basic sailing techniques. There are courses for those who are already competent sailors such as the Sailing Seminar and Challenge Course. The ASA course is four days and requires both written and practical tests. All BLISS classes are taught in English and are conducted on an individual basis.

Gomez, who was once a fierce competitor and even won a major title at high school, the state championship of California for the hobie cat race, enjoys sailing for “recreation and leisure” these days.

“It's great to be able to get away from the city and on to water”. Payne has a similar love for sailing and being out on the water. I'd agree after one lesson and a few minutes at the helm that sailing is fun and interesting however the idea that sailing is an expensive sport still plagues me.

Payne: “Japanese sailors have been known to give boats to foreigners, but the major cost isn't the boat but the mooring fee … it's best to gather a group of people to share expenses and experiences”.

Whether you have some experience or are a complete newcomer under BLISS's tutelage you will gain all the skills you need for your own epic voyage.

For more inforamation:
Tel: 090-8216-9646 (Bill Payne)
Email: catch22@cybertime.net
Website: www.sailfuel.ws
Another useful website: www.sail-japan.info

Text & photos: Renee Karena