Qingdao Sailing Bulletin - July/August 2009
by Jeppe Mortensen (revised January 28, 2010)
Why Sail?
Feet down in the cool water - talking
Sailing builds friendships.
One Sunday in May I had the pleasure of talking with the two gentlemen in the photo (right). There wasn't any wind that day, so I had gone to the Olympic Sailing Center to relax.
I quickly found myself sitting on a concrete pontoon, feet down in the cool water, engaged in an interesting conversation, all while watching the sailing children from Yew Chung International School (YCIS) do their training that day - capsizing their boat and getting it back up.
Such an afternoon reminded me of one of the most important reasons why I sail. To spend time with friends and meet new people, all while having great fun on and off the water!
Children from YCIS training capsizing their boat and getting it back up
It’s a sport you can pursue your whole life. There are thousands of different boats, so you’ll always be able to find a suitable one for your age, sailing interest, and capability.
If you get tired of sailing one type of boat, you can always move to another - smaller, bigger, faster, or whatever excites you. And sailing can be enjoyed either alone or with others, so no matter whether you’re to individual or team sports, sailing will have something for you.
Anya pulling ropes
Sailing is a great family activity. Sailing can be enjoyed by all ages and one’s physical fitness is seldom an obstacle to getting out on the water. Sailing gives you quality time with your family - bringing young and old together, while providing fun and enjoyment for everyone.
If you fall in love with sailing, it’s for life. Sometimes it looks like my two-year old daughter is already in love (left).
The author of "Start Sailing Right!" puts it this way;
What Makes Sailing Special?
Within the past 20 years, the advent of new technologies has opened up the sport of sailing to people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Sailing offers virtually limitless choices in boat types and designs, each with its own unique characteristics. This book has been designed to standardize the learn-to-sail process for many different boat types.
Most sailors will acquire entry level skills quite rapidly. However mastering them is an experience that will be rewarding, mentally stimulating and pleasurable for a lifetime.
As you learn to sail, you will find that sailing is more than simply being pushed and pulled by the wind. For most people, sailing is meeting new friends, enjoying nature's beauty and challenge, and sharing a unique fellowship with all boaters. A tremendous camaraderie exists among sailors, particularly on the water, which makes sailing - and the people who do it - very special."
Camaraderie on the water - chatting girls
How to get started sailing in Qingdao
Below are people to contact with any questions regarding how to get started sailing in Qingdao.
Qingdao International Sailing Club (QISC)
| Location: | #6 Nanhai Lu (east end of beach #1) |
| Contact: | Loik Morgant, m: 136-0897-7063 |
| Website: | www.sailing1953.com |
Loik takes care of the sailing activities at this newly (re-)opened sailing club. He’s currently going through the stock of dinghy boats to see which are good to use and which need some attention.
National Organization of Community Sailing Programs (NOCSP)
| Location: | Olympic Sailing Center |
| Contact: | Vicky Song, m: 136-0896-8946, or Qiqi Tang, m: 150-6684-6415 |
| Websites: | www.nocsp.com www.sinansailing.com |
I wrote a short piece about NOCSP’s activities in the April sailing bulletin.
Link: Qingdao Sailing - April 2009: NOCSP [PDF: 591 KB]
Qingdao International Yacht Club (QIYC)
| Location: | Olympic Sailing Center |
| Contact: | George Lee, t: 6656-0067, m: 139-5427-8317 |
| Website: | www.qiyc.cn |
QIYC now has a fleet of 10 Flying Tigers and several other boats available for rent.
WETA Trimaran Sailing Qingdao
| Location: | Olympic Sailing Center |
| Contact: | Jeppe Mortensen, m: 138-8463-7870 |
| Website: | www.sailweta.com |
With 7 boats now, and two more by July, WETA owners are the most active group of leisure sailors in Qingdao.
Additional Sailing Resources:
newtosailing.com: Articles for beginners
newtosailing.com: Sailing for children
Read also the newer bulletin Qingdao Sailing - September 2009,
or check the headlines of other sailing bulletins by year: 2008 | 2009 | 2010
Qingdao sailing questions?
Call 138-8463-7870 (Jeppe) or email
The original version of this bulletin was published in;
Qingdao Expat Magazine (July/August 2009)