Monday, June 21, 2010

Sailing

This afternoon, I took Frost to the Mt Baker boat center for an Introduction to Sailing class. It was cold, drizzling, foggy and slightly calm. It was not ideal weather. There were another couple of participants - a Kiwi (Louie) and his son Jack (7). It was a good match for us. Louie had done hobie sailing in New Zealand and of course I grew up with various sailboats. Our instructor was Max, a college student from the area who grew up sailing in Miami.

With all the sailing enthusiasts having come from warmer climes I started to wonder about the wisdom of cold-water sailing. Still, we rigged and climbed into a fairly large sailboat - I think it was a Flying Fifteen or something similar. We sailed out slowly and then had some fun reaches across the Lake where the wind picked up through a cut past Seward Park. Frost was very cold and looked apprehensive. He was very quick to react when I gave him advice and most upset when I quickly grabbed the tiller to avoid a jibe. He was listening carefully to what to do (keep the tiller centered) but wasn't able to check on our direction and make corrections.

Since it was his first ever sail in a boat this was pretty good!

Our instructor recommended the 420 class as the best family boat. Apparently it is 2 handed boat but sails well with kids once they are 12 or so. It goes fast and is widely used as a college race boat.

Unfortunately, they don't have these at the UW boathouse but I think that Frost will enjoy Laser sailing with me once I get rated there.

4 comments:

tamusana said...

Excellent! If you ever manage to swing a European vacation, come try out our little RS Feva on the lake!

Rosa Mayr said...

Shannon. I too have a child with Shone's complex. She is two now and doing great. My oldest daughter is the same age as Wren. And she was born on Dec. 14.

I would love to get in contact with you.

Shannon said...

Tam,
The prospect of sailing may be enough to drag me to Geneva - that and the story about your Elite Lifestyle Cows. I shall put it on our Medium Term To Do List.

Its funny, but I have been buying SWISS MADE cheese because your cows are happ(ier). Its hard to buy swiss cheese in the US. I ask for "Swiss MADE cheese" and they all think I am a twit asking for that cheese with holes that you put on a sandwich. So I have to explain I want another style of cheese BUT made IN SWITZERLAND. There are not many here.

Shannon said...

Rosa,
I would be happy to email and am curious to hear yoru Shone's story. Can you contact me through my profile?

Shannon