Sports reporter Oliver Kidman finds out just how exhilarating – and fun – it is to sail Hobie Cats in St Aubin’s Bay under the expert tutelage of the RCIYC’s instructors
TRYOUT Tuesdays are on a roll! This week we went waterborne, as I headed down to St Aubin’s Bay and tried out the thrilling sport of Hobie sailing.
Throughout my time at the JEP thus far, it’s really hit me what a great sailing community we have here in Jersey. Sure, whenever I passed the colourful sails of the Hobie Cats on the front I’d always find it a beautiful view, but I never really took the time to stop and find out more.
This job has given me the privilege to delve deeper and get a perspective into one of the Island’s most historic communities – with the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club’s (RCIYC) roots tracing back to 1862 when it was designated as a Royal Yacht Club by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria – and I’m so grateful I have as it’s been an extraordinary experience.
Sailing really does have everything one is looking for in a new sport, especially over here in Jersey. With a jam-packed calendar of events and competitions and a vibrant social scene to boot, which is made all the more inclusive through the sport’s welcoming community as I’ve experienced first-hand, what’s not to like?
I was always entertained watching the combat of Hobie racing, so when the opportunity to get out on the water in a Hobie 16 and try it out for myself arose, it’s fair to say I snatched at it. There was no way I’d let this get past me, not a chance!
Let’s find out more
As a sport, Hobie Cat sailing is relatively new, with the first Hobie Cat vessel being launched on 4 July 1968 by Hobart (Hobie) Alter. Inspiration came after Alter sold surfboards adjacent to Art Javes – who designed the Aqua Cat 12 catamaran – at a boat show in Anaheim, California, so he decided to design a catamaran which would be easily beached and made of fibreglass.
From there, the sport has just continue to grow, with Hobie Cats carving their own niche in the world of sailing. These twin-hulled, lightweight vessels are designed for speed and agility, making for entertaining racing.
Jersey’s Hobie chapter commenced in 1982, when Gordon Burgis – who is now the RCIYC Hobie Fleet representative and organiser for Hobie activity – and friend Barry Jenkins brought five Hobies over to St Ouen’s Bay, where surfers owned and sailed the vessels as a shared activity if and when the surf was flat or blown out.
It wasn’t long before participants caught the competitive bug, with Riva Cup races beginning just a year later. Jersey’s fleet have grown significantly since then, with the first competitors in 1983 barely knowing the rules.
Hobie Fleet 386 was then formed in 1988, with Barry Jenkins as Commodore, before the fleet started to integrate with the RCIYC in 1990.
Now, Jersey’s Hobie Fleet stands as not just the biggest in the UK, but also one of the biggest and most active in the whole of Europe. To further show Jersey’s stellar reputation, the Island has played host to two European Hobie 16 Championships, holding the illustrious event in 1993 before hosting again in 2000.
The racing is usually in the mornings or afternoons held inshore in St Aubin’s bay, there are also several distance races during the season for the more experienced teams which offer another dimension to Hobie sailing.
With this year bringing about exciting changes for the sport, it’s now easier than ever to make your start in this exciting sport.
“Hobie Cats are great fun to sail, the RCIYC Hobie Fleet runs regular racing and training activity which is open to all levels, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced,” said Burgis.
“There is a new Hobie Fleet sub-committee this year – organised by top Hobie crew Megan Roworth – which aims to run regular ‘have a go’ sessions on Saturdays throughout the summer season, as part of an outreach programme to introduce more people to Hobie sailing.
“There is also a ‘B’ fleet, in which entry level sailors can participate and find their sea legs while improving on their way to the ‘A’ fleet. The Hobie Dragoons are also popular for junior sailors – they’re fast, colourful and the cadet sailors love them, allowing them to also get the training, racing and social experience.”
Hobie sailing brings with it plenty of benefits, as Burgis continued: “There are a multitude of benefits in Hobie sailing. As well as the thrill of sailing a multihull, there is the camaraderie from the shared experience and teamwork when racing.
“Sailors are out in the ocean in the fresh air, which has great benefits for both physical and mental health, plus the pure enjoyment factor and racing buzz, where stories are swapped over a welcome cold beer at the end of the day.”
What’s amazing to see is the international reach this sport has, especially the iconic Hobie 16, with large racing fleets in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Asia and Islands of Oceania, such as New Caledonia and Fiji.
“The Hobie 16 is iconic, they are on every continent and country with water lapping its shores and on lakes as well. This means that you can go pretty much anywhere in the world and find Hobie sailors, making for a great international community,” said Burgis.
This international appeal comes as no surprise, as Burgis explained what keeps sailors coming back to the Hobie Cats: “One of the many thrills of Hobie Cat sailing is the sensation of speed, sailing across the bay and skimming the tops of waves. Double trapezing on a Hobie 16 is super exhilarating and can be an adrenaline pump.
“This, and the friendly competition of the racing, builds great camaraderie amongst the Hobie crews, plus everyone is very welcoming and always willing to lend a hand to anyone that becomes involved with the sport.
“Hobie sailing is very much a family sport as well, where the children can sail together or with their parents, husbands and wives, couples – there’s something for everyone.”
Time to get out on the water!
Even before I got into the water, I was hyped to be giving this a go. Watching the racing for so long only built up the anticipation, so all I felt was excitement as I eyed the beached Hobie 16 over.
After getting a buoyancy aid strapped on and a sailing jacket popped over (which I was so grateful for in the end, absolute lifesaver), Gordon and Antoine Bacquet, who would be helming my debut outing on the Hobie 16, got straight to teaching me the key elements of what to do once out in the water.
This segment was a lot of “now pay attention Oliver”, as I was literally shown the ropes. When to tighten, when to loosen your grip, all of this was described and taught, thankfully a bit dumbed down to make up for my lack of sailing experience.
Then came the big demo, as I was instructed how to pull off the art of trapezing, which somehow always looks cool. When you look at it as a spectator, it seems as simple as just standing off the edge. Pretty easy right?
Let’s just say it was a bit more advanced than that. At first I thought I was killing it, a natural sailor perhaps? Yeah, that was a short-lived thought, as both Gordon and Antoine brought a host of constructive correction to my technique.
After a few try-outs of the technique, with plenty of “Oliver, if you don’t do this, you will fall in”, I was finally deemed fit for the seas. So, Antoine and I didn’t waste any time rolling down the Hobie towards the ocean.
It didn’t take long for the wind to grace our sails, and we were off. What surprised me was the speed and acceleration that the vessel achieved in such a short time. What looks like a risk pace to a spectator really feels like you’re flying out on the catamaran. I’ve long found my sea legs thankfully, otherwise it might not have been the most dignified ending!
With this rapid pace, we then begun changing direction, putting all I’d learnt about the ropes and movement onboard into practice, and all was going well. Each turn got smoother, and with that confidence was growing.
While I was riding this adrenaline-fuelled high, Antoine then faced me and asked: “You want to try out a trapeze?”
I instantly agreed. This was my moment. I clipped on, pushed out and extended my body outwards, engaging the core. But, before I could bask in the glory, I found my feet up in the air and the momentum sent me flying into Antoine’s side before dunking into the water.
Even though it wasn’t the super-cool moment I was looking for, I couldn’t help but laugh as I was having so much fun. It took a good few attempts to finally have that trapeze moment, but it was certainly worth the wait as it was a great experience to truly feel the speed like never before.
As much as I’d have liked to play it cool, that was long gone after the sheer amount of falls I had, so once the trapeze finally paid off I could probably be heard from the shore.
Although I’d had a brief spell of nailing the trapeze, disaster struck late on as a few more falls were had, with the last one near-on sinking the catamaran! Antoine lunged in to help, we rallied back and then returned to shore. I was still buzzing long after everything was packed away, maybe I’d caught a bit of the sailing bug.
I have to say though, I did feel a little guilty for falling into Antoine so much. Thankfully, he was more than understanding and always had a smile on his face. The advice he gave was so valuable, he really was the perfect helm for my first outing and I look forward to watching how he progresses in the ‘A’ fleet this season.
After trying it out with great success, I’m all up for giving it a go once the season gets underway. I loved it so much I have to go out there again!
If you’d like to feel the speed, then please contact the RCIYC office through their email, office@rciyc.je, or give them a ring on 01534 745783.
