Leave Shanghai and your stresses behind, learn to sail

On the open water of Dianshan Lake, 32 miles from downtown Shanghai, we tentatively begin our first sailing course at Shanghai Saimeng Water Sports Club, a journey we hoped would be the perfect getaway from the overcrowded city.

Warming up

We begin our day on a Catalina 110 -- a 16.5-foot monohull sailboat -- with our instructor Tang Qianhui. As we steer into deeper waters, Tang announces that we’ll start with the first lesson: capsizing.

"What we will learn together is how to control the sails, the helm and how to deal with a capsized boat," she says calmly, as we begin to think about the chill water below us. Although it might be spring, jumping into the cold lake wasn’t part of the relaxing day we imagined.

To ease our anxieties, Tang holds off on the capsizing for a bit and begins by introducing each part of the boat to us -- essential content in any sailing course -- and then explains their purposes in detail.

"The mainsail is used to control the speed," Tang says while pulling its rope. Stronger winds immediately speed the boat along, lifting one side out of the water. Now this was the adventure on the high seas (or as close as we could get) we were looking for!

Adventurous sailors

"Sailing is so freeing. I do not know any other sport that can fit people from five to 85 years old."— Avid sailor and member of the Shanghai Saimeng Water Sports Club

As the saying goes "practice makes perfect," and Tang encourages us to sail by ourselves after an hour of training. Wearing life vests, we sit in either end of the boat, responsible for the front sail and helm. Tang sits between us, giving orders and controlling the mainsail.

At first, we cruise along the lake without any problems. The warm breeze, fresh water and flower-covered hills put everyone at ease. We even discuss going to Zhouzhuang, a beautiful water town that can be reached in a mere two hours if we keep sailing.

However, our good luck ends on the way back. Perhaps because of unexpected wind changes, when we try to turn around, the boat suddenly tilts sharply. A large amount of water rushes inside in a matter of seconds. Were we about to capsize?

Before I have a chance to ask, Tang gives the order: "Move to the right side now!" As we move, she adjusts the helm and loosens the mainsail. The boat becomes stable again. No damage has been done except a slight dampening of our shoes.

"When we drive a car, we have to turn the wheel as the road change. Sailing is the same. We have to keep adjusting the sails and helm following the wind change," was Tang’s take-home message as we finish the course, capsizing lesson thankfully avoided.

Back at the docks

Although we all began the day as tentative novice sailors, after our two hour lesson, we were hooked.

As we dock the boat, Al, a Scottish sailor and a regular at the club, tells me about his love for sailing. “Sailing is so freeing. I do not know any other sport that can fit people from five to 85 years old.”

Indeed, it also fits veterans like him and newbies like me.

Coco Liu is a freelance writer, primarily covering China's business and culture issues.

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