The sky was clear blue and the sun was bright on the morning I set out on my maiden voyage from Middle Island. My instructor was Chan Yu-ting, centre sailing instructor with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC).
My boat was a Wayfarer, a model with a long history which is usually used to train beginners. Coach Chan prepared the boat by setting up the sail and the jib, then we had to check the bung, or plug, at the aft, or back of the boat, was closed to make sure the boat wouldn't sink.
According to the coach, there are five key factors affecting performance in sailing: sail setting; course made good (or choosing the best way to finish a course); balancing (right and left); trimming (fore and aft balance); and lastly, the use of the centreboard, a fin at the bottom of the boat that helps steer it.
Finally it was time to get onto the open water. At first, I acted as a crew member, watching what Coach Chan did, and later took over the duties as helmsman.
Determining the windward and the leeward side is another important skill in sailing. From time to time, I had to switch sides, moving from sitting on the port (left) or the starboard (right) side of the boat as the wind direction changed. I also needed to control the rudder at the same time. No daydreaming is allowed on a sailing boat, as you're fully occupied with different assignments at every moment.
Coach Chan was very patient and I tried my very best to take in all her advice and remember her instructions. She also helped to correct my posture, both to make me a better sailor and to ensure I'd look good in the photos and video footage.
The photographer and videographer were following my Wayfarer in a speedboat. This certainly added to the pressure, but deep down, it made me feel extremely cool. After all, how often in life do you get chased by a speedboat if you're not the sort of person who gets in trouble with the police?