|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
It was mid July, 2002 when my best friend Jason and I decided to take our first sailing lesson. Being very excited, yet not knowing exactly what to expect, we read the first few chapters of the companion text to get a head start on the classes. I had sailed Hobie Cats a few times as a teenager, and Jason had spent a great deal of time at sea on power boats and fishing charters. We thought we were prepared. A funny thing happened that weekend as we took to the water. We were frightened, challenged beyond our mental and physical capabilities, and ultimately exhausted. If you know Jason and me at all, then you know that we were immediately addicted. It wasn't all a non-stop thrill ride, however. There were moments of total relaxation and pure bliss. These moments were usually followed by horror, and scrambling about to keep the boat from capsizing. This is the reality of sailing - learning to be prepared for the fact that you are not prepared for what will happen next. The wind and waves are ever changing and even on relatively calm days with light air one can find sailing to be quite challenging. |
||
 Sailing on Lake Palestine, 10/12/02 Left to right: Jason, Katie, Paul My intent is not to horrify you, my gentle reader. Indeed, there is some comfort to be found in sailing. We eventually got our sea legs and began to function as an efficient crew should. After a few mentored day-sails, led by experienced instructors, I felt ready to skipper a vessel, and sail her single-handed (nautical term for all-by-myself). So I chartered "Sea Cradle", a 28 foot Watkins wheel. My wife came along for the ride, and to laugh at me when I messed up, then we were underway. What a surprise! I could sail! Even more shocking, I hadn't broken anything, or crashed yet. This is actually a common occurrence, as it turns out. Much to the dismay of "Reader's Digest" and other publications that have made a killing lime-lighting shipwrecks, apparently there are literally thousands of boats that set sail every day without anybody on board dying. In fact, sailors enjoy one of the highest safety ratings of any recreational boaters or water sports enthusiasts. But if somebody does happen to die on you, just remember that you have to notify the Coast Guard within 10 days - just a little tid-bit I read in the ASA 101 text. So to make a long story even longer, the next thing you know, Jason and I are sailing a 21 foot San Juan on Lake Palestine, an experience that was both rewarding and disgusting. I highly advise against chartering on this lake. The boats were all in poor condition, the docks looked like they were about to cave in, and there were spiders everywhere. But that didn't stop us from spending $120 for a good 5 hours of sailing. My 2-year old son, Ethan, was really gung-ho as well. With a life jacket strapped around his little body, he went back and forth from the leeward to windward rails yelling "Sailboat! Sailboat! Wow, big sailboat!" So our adventure continues and I will try to keep you abreast of all the thrills of the high seas. |
 Home Learn to sail! Bay Area Sailing School Other nautical links ASA Boating Safety Nautica Clothing Company My Hero  Jason, Sheryl, and Katie |
|