Steering the Course - Freya Hudson

Published 19:30 on 29 May 2021

Boats have always been a big part of my life. When I was 8 I was taken along to my first k2o. However, my weekends were interrupted by netball matches so I just couldn't commit to every weekend.

My dad bought a National 12 when I was about 12 which I loved, and not just because we painted it purple! We went to a few events and the Nationals twice where I faced the challenge of the sea, which from my point of view, as a crew, meant I just got a lot of waves in my face. Some great training really improved our technique and boosted my confidence about racing in big fleets.

We sold the National 12 at the end of 2019, I think dad got fed up with me complaining I had no room in the front of the boat. I think my dad was also encouraged by the growing fleet of Merlin rockets at Bartley.

My first impressions of the Merlin were: what is it with all the string? I soon came to understand that all these bits of string have their different jobs but some very strange names.

The beginning of 2020 brought with it a series of big storms but, eager to try out our new toy, we decided to give her a go in 20 knots. We launched, having spent quite a while trying to rig it properly, sailed across the lake, capsized, then sailed back in again, totally exhilarated.

When lockdown one ended, all of my other sports had stopped and suddenly we had time to really concentrate on sailing. I have had some great support from other sailors at Bartley, who have offered me some great tips and reassurance. My confidence has definitely improved with practice and from the times when things didn't really go to plan.

When I'm sailing I am concentrating so hard on what I'm doing that I can't think about anything else. I tried talking my dad through a history topic once, that ended in us missing a wind shift and losing about 5 places oops

Of course, as well as the promise of a pork bap at lunch time I sail to spend time with my dad.

Last updated 14:02 on 16 April 2024