Wednesday, July 13, 2011

1st Day of Class


Ahh, finally.  The first day of class.  This was the boring part - sitting in a chair in the middle of a sailing store.  Although I sat there listening, and then looking at the boating equipment inside the stores, and all those sailboats outside the window; got rid of the boredom quickly !     So many terms, and concepts going through my head.  Tacking and sailing upwind, jibing and sailing downwind, standard rigging, running rigging, cleats, wenches, a bunch of knots!   Wow - I hope there's not a test on all this.  I don't wanna fail.  Although I guess the test will actually be Saturday on the lake.  I believe we'll be sailing on some 25' sailboat, on a lake with no horsepower limit, so we get to dodge powerboats, and all those fun jetski's.  I think this is what is affectionately called "trial by fire" or is that water?

What's a halyard? 


There was quite the group in the class.  A family of three (father, mother, son), a few couples my age, a single guy, and a younger couple that already bought a 25' Macgregor but had never sailed (kind of wish I jumped right in like they did).  Sailors come in all shapes and sizes, and the class was lively with discussion.  I think sailors or people that want to enjoy that type of life, are by nature a friendly group!

3 days til water!  Watch out!! :)

5 comments:

  1. I too am starting my sailing class this week. I echo your commets about all the "stuff" you need to learn.

    Good Luck!

    Thomas

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  2. Thomas - Thanks! There is a lot. I think once we get out there and start doing it, it'll come pretty quickly (at least I hope so! :) ). Good luck to you on your class!

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  3. The nice thing about the course is that you will learn how to properly do things and not have to look like an idiot (like I always did!) when you get out on the water.

    Good times coming, for sure!

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  4. Not sure if you saw it but here is a video from last September's Musket Cove Regatta. http://vimeo.com/17800673

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  5. Very true Barco - although I imagine there will be plenty of idiot opportunities for me :)

    That's a cool video, but the number of lines on that boat confuses me . Much different from the little demo boat at the class Thursday. So much to learn !

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