When you have bought a ticket to take part in the Toddbrook Sailing Show, I guarantee you will not be disappointed! A spectacle unfolds before your eyes, with instructor Richard Thorpe stealing all Headlines! Some liken him to Chef Ramsey, others to Willy Wonka, but amongst the comparisons, there is bound to be a grain of brilliance in there somewhere.3 Explorers met at the hut, while 2 others cancelled : a party of 5 was then dispatched to watch live, and sail amongst, the aquatic theatre of Sailing on Toddbrook reservoir in Whaley Bridge. This night – supposedly club race night – had the show stolen by the magnificent instruction of a Willy Wonka-esque Richard Thorpe : ultimately a Friend of the children, but with a dark and frustrated side for those who do not listen!
We were greeted with enthusiasm into the magical nautical world. The necessary rope hand swapping skills were demonstrated with phrases of “frying pan handles”, and barks of “sailing into wind”. The initial whirlwind passion of instruction ably abetted by a fine imagination and a swinging boom-well performed by Abernstern.
The mandatory collection of boat parts, dragging of boats to the shore, and even rigging and set up, was soon complete and launch time upon us.
“Head out to the buoys” an excitable Thorpe exclaimed, intent on wanting us to feel the full freedom and magnitude of the water, wind, sail and to share in his world. Sadly, in our Topaz and the dimmed wind we could just about glide around. But this was perfect for the basic learning : The initial attempts at tacking proving to be terrible, and although no one fell in at the beginning. There was little control around – except from well rehearsed Sailor-boy Abernstern.
We individually tacked upwind away from the dam gradually improving in confidence, and in trying it was Alty who incurred the first barrage from a frustrated Thorpe. “Grab the sheet! the sheet! You Know the Rope! The Rope! Grab the rope! The other end! Other end! With the knot in! The Knot in!” Pure panic, frustration, and theatre! In that moment I was transported to a Chef Ramsey Kitchen Nightmare where he is once again despairing at what he sees.
We tacked up and around the reservoir trying to keep well away from the race and enjoying the fresh air. We didn’t manage a race ourselves as our well dispersed group was never close enough to say go. Abernstern reprised his role as most capable sailor, but lacked enough magic to lose Andy togs from his tail. Alty had the grasped the principles of sailing having been bawled at enough to understand the forces at work : “Into WIND! Into Wind! Into the Wind! Push the Tiller AWAY! AWAY!”. Josh Williams must have sailed sufficiently well to have gone unnoticed by Wonka Thorpe, and at times admirably sailed away from the Dam when most thought he was going to be beached. Nolan was soon a competent handler of his craft, steering and improving technique with every turn.
However it was Nolan’s curiosity that lead to his downfall – much like Violet Beauregarde. Ryan headed downwind, got up some speed and as his hull began to rise out of the water he called to others for admiration. Sadly his boat thought better and continued to rise and rise until it had dumped him in the water. Helpful cries went unheeded by Ryan but there was just enough time for Thorpe to come back as Ramsey “Stand on the dagger board! The Dagger Board! On the other side! The other side! OTHER SIDE! Lean on It! Lean! On the Dagger BOARD!” Despair.
At that we turned for home and glided into port/ beach. An excellent evenings sport. More faff with putting away sails and rudders and changing into dry gear, but soon we were ready to depart. The effervescent Thorpe was desperate to hear that we had enjoyed ourselves and were excited about sailing. It was indeed true, as the rousing chorus of “crest of a wave” will confirm.
A brilliant evening out cramming comedy, laughter, crying, frustration, despair, science and some morals into a fantastically well choreographed, emotional, two hour slot. Thorpe is excellent. A must see. Five stars.
The Toddbrook Live Sailing Theatrical Instruction evening runs on request at Toddbrook Reservoir most summers. Tickets by appointment only.