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The wind in your hair and the water at your feet... there is a lot to be said for sailing.

I went for my first attempt this weekend when the Royal Cape Yacht Club thought it a good idea to drag just over 60 journalists from their usual holes, crouching behind computers, lurking over microphones and skulking behind cameras to enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

We were there not only as part of the club's initiative to motivate more people to participate in sailing, but also for charity.

Each team was designated a yacht, skipper and, in our case, owner of the boat before heading for the water and racing around an appointed course.

The winning three teams' charity of choice then received the cash prize from the relevant media team.

There is, however, a reason why the title of this piece refers to a nursery rhyme. "I saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea. And oh, it was all laden, with pretty things for thee," said Mother Goose.

Because, if you do not regularly exercise your sea legs, the first steps on board can feel like your very first steps ever. A yacht is not like many other boats with wide open spaces to lounge on or be idle. Our yacht had very little space to manoeuvre around indeed ? clearly, you have to be of some use on this vessel. Even if, as it turns out in this case, that involves sliding over from one side to the other like a pendulum balancing the act while the skipper toggles the sails.

But in the end it is an awesome experience, and a potential hobby with a multitude of possibilities for anybody with a bit of an adventurous spirit in them.

The Far Med, our yacht, has on a previous occasion spent 28 days racing to Rio!

In retrospect, that should probably have told us that we are in good hands.

Whether it was the yacht, the skipper, the owner or the very capable crew remains untold, but regardless of an almost wind still day we still managed to creep over the finish line and achieve a whopping second position.

As a result, R3 000 will be donated to the charity of our choice.

The Royal Cape Yacht Club is also an organisation that puts their money where their mouths are.

Any member of the public really is welcome to try and give sailing a go.

On Wednesday evenings civilians still unsure of the existence of their sea legs can report at the club, and are welcome to join if sailors have open spots for crew on their vessels.

It definitely comes highly recommended.

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