Ahoy there! Mirrorgirl Victoria finds her sea legs as she learns to sail.

"THERE are two very important things we think about before we take a boat out to sea," instructor Paul Adamson told me as I prepared for my two-day sailing experience.

"The first is, 'What's the weather doing?. And the second is, 'Will we get back in time for last orders?'"

I had just boarded Paul's yacht One Life and immediately felt right at home.

His company Sailing West, based in Dun Laoghaire harbour, are taking me out on the Irish Sea to teach me the ways of the water in two action-packed days.

And action is definitely what I get.

Hitting the choppy November waves in strong winds may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but from the moment we hoist the storm sails adrenaline pumped through me.

Trussed up like the Michelin Man in a waterproof suit, sea boots, a huge coat and a lifejacket I hardly felt the cold when the biting wind pulls us out into the ocean at a steady seven knots.

I screamed with excitement as water flew across the deck and we are tossed around by Force 6 winds (8 is gale force).

I was having such a good time I didn't mind my hair was dripping wet and the mascara running down my face.

My sailing companions - with whom I shared a 37-ft eating, sleeping and living space seem equally thrilled to be leaving dry land behind. I am joined by 40-year-old chartered physician and mum-of-three Mary McGuinness, 22-year-old engineering graduate Will Greene, Sailing West owner Paul Adamson, 30, and his fellow instructor Fergus O'Connell, 47.

Mary and Will are on five-day courses with Fergus and will gain nationally and internationally-recognised sailing qualifications with the Royal Yachting Association and Irish Sailing Association by the end of the week.

Mary is learning how to take command of a boat and be a day skipper, and Will is doing the more basic crew practical course which teaches vital seamanship skills.

Paul said: "We hold courses all year for people with any level of experience.

I started Sailing West was to open the activity up to everyone. There's a perception sailing is only for the wealthy and it takes loads of time and equipment but that's not true at all.

"And people also think it's just a summer sport which isn't true either.

"As long as you've got the right gear you can sail at any time of year.

"We've got the storm sails up at the moment because there's strong wind.

"They're smaller which means the boat won't get dragged over so much."

With 20 years' experience, Paul has notched up145,000 nautical miles and his passion for sailing is infectious.

Highly qualified, he teaches everything from rigging the sails, weather analysis, route planning and survival.

But most importantly he is also a great host meaning even complete novices like me will feel at home on his yacht.

He added: "Anyone can have a go and I think everyone should know how great it is out there on the water.

"Our aim is to give people a fantastic experience but also to teach them something so if they want to go on their own and get more into it they can.

"We hold events for companies and groups of friends who just want to chill and have a good time."

While I found it tricky to get to grips with all the finer points of sailing in two days, I was still able to steer and tie ropes.

But one of the best things was getting to know a group of strangers.

When we docked at Dun Laoghaire I may have only been a few minutes from my flat, but drinking steaming mugs of hot chocolate I felt a million miles away.

And as Paul knew exactly what the weather was doing we made it back for last orders.

For more information visit www.sailingwestie.

GUIDE TO SAILING SLANG

POSH - RICH passengers had POSH written next to their names.

It stands for Port Out Starboard Home and told the crew which side VIPs should travel on.

NO ROOM TO SWING A CAT

- Hundreds of years ago rule-breaking crew would be whipped with a cat o' nine tails.

But the punishment always had to take place on the deck because there was no room in the cabin to swing the whip.

THREE SQUARE MEALS - A crew was served meals in square trays so the food didn't fall out when the boat was moving.

BY HOOK OR BY CROOKE -

During the Norman invasion of Ireland their leader Strongbow said he would by Hook (Hook head in Wexford) or by Crooke (Castle on the Waterford side).

There's a perception out there that sailing takes loads of time and is only for the wealthy. That isn't true.

Some people think it's a summer sport but that's just not the case either.

CAPTION(S):

AYE AYE CAP'N Mirror girl Victoria; CHOPPY WATER One Life battles through the waves; SHIP MATES With Sailing West owner Paul Adamson; STEER WE GO Victoria Murphy takes the wheel; ALL ABOARD Victoria, Paul and instructor Fergus O'Connell