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How She Sails: Monique

Published Mon 11 May 2020
How long have you been in the sport of Sailing?
4 years

What Club, Association or company are you involved with?
Tweed Valley Sailing Club

What Part do you play in our sport?
Sailor; Instructor

Tell us how you first got involved with Sailing.
A friend told me at a Xmas luncheon that she had started sailing. I then saw in the newspaper the following August that the club was having a womens' Learn to Sail weekend. I registered. My father sailed so I thought once I knew what I was doing I could go sailing with him. Unfortunately, he stopped sailing (at 82 years of age), so now I just tell him my sailing stories. It is a shame I didn't start earlier so I could have sailed alongside him.

There are many pathways in sailing, where has your journey taken you?
I have gone from crewing on other boats to owning and skippering my own Corsair, and buying a Laser to improve my sailing skills. I've gone to regattas as far as Budgewoi (NSW) extending to Lake Cootharaba (Qld), sailing at RQ, Peel Island race, and attending laser sailing courses. I became a dinghy sailing instructor (thanks to SheSails). To get that I had to get my first aid and boat handling certificates. It's been a fabulous journey, stepping out of my comfort zone many times. To being on the committee as secretary, merchandise officer and now the club SheSails rep, it's been a fantastic ride, and there's more to come!

Whatever part of sailing you belong to, tell us about what you enjoy about your sport?
I like the physical and mental workout (from rigging, de-rigging, launching etc., to race tactics), and the comradery from fellow sailors. Attending weekend regattas (generally camping) is loads of fun! You get to relax and debrief at the end of the day.
 
What would you say to someone thinking about getting into sailing?
It's a fantastic and stimulating sport, and you NEVER STOP LEARNING. You cannot be a sailor in one day. It's great to be on the water - to see the marine and bird life around you. If you're not racing, it's so great to experience what's going on in the water and around you.
 
Tell us your favourite story ….
I think my favourite time is going to the Harwood regatta in March and November each year - it started with an overnight stay, and is now a 3 night stay. Saturday sailing for the past few years has been 18 plus knot winds - it's a wild ride!
 
 
Gallery
How She Sails Age Group: 55-64 Sailor Instructor