Charlie Chidlow has just returned home from Qingdao, China, where he participated in his first large, international regatta. And what an experience it was! The six Opti sailors from Australia were part of the Qingdao International Optimist Training Camp & Regatta 2024. They set off with their sails, their VIODA team gear, a bunch of Aussie flags and blow-up kangaroos, and big, excited smiles.
Once there, the sailors were given almost brand new Optis to sail. The first day was spent tying sails and rigging boats at the hot and humid Qingdao International Sailing Centre, along with meeting fellow sailors from around China, as well as from countries like Russia, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, and more. Friendships were started and it was heartening to watch children shed the baggage of politics, and just play together.
Following an opulent Opening Ceremony of the ‘Qingdao Marine Sailing Conference 2024’ Charlie took part in two days of qualifying races, after which the 98 Opti sailors were split into two fleets – Gold and Silver.
Charlie sailed really well in the very light wind conditions, crossing the line 12th and 13th in two of his races. Unfortunately, however, he ‘timed out’ after a rather brutal eight minutes, which meant that he was dealt DNFs and was ushered into the Silver fleet. There wasn’t much he could do about ‘timing out’ but this was a valuable lesson in dealing with unfamiliar rules!
During the following two days of racing Charlie did well. He found a new level of confidence. He learned more about the importance of his starts (port tacking the fleet not once, but twice!), focussing on finding clean air, maintaining focus and putting all of coach, Peter McCann’s advice to good use. For a kid who sailed his first ever regatta in the Greenfleet at Schnapper Point, Mornington, in February of this year it was an unbelievable experience.
We managed to make a brief visit to Beijing after the regatta, where Charlie spent a wonderful day on the Great Wall of China.
Charlie has met people from all over the world, ate a lot of ice cream, traded sailing shirts, played an Aussie Vs South Africa soccer match, ate wonderful Chinese food, made firm friends with the rest of his VIODA teammates, and learned about himself – about listening, taking responsibility, being kind and having fun.
Charlie is incredibly grateful for RBYC for the support they’ve shown him in this regatta and is looking forward to returning to his home club over the school holidays. He’s recruited a bunch of friends to sign up for the holiday sailing courses too, so it seems as though his adventures in China may have inspired some others to give it a go.
Best
Danielle Chidlow
