ANOTHER VIEW
Normally, space in the Windscoop isn’t used for examining water that’s passed under the keel, but I feel it my duty to do so. Please bear with me through this digression. The Adopt-A-Racer Cruise, held at Whitney’s on March 30, was FAR more successful than expected in some regards, and failed miserably in others.
On the successful side of the log, we had very knowledgeable speakers that presented their subjects well and completely. The site of the seminar was perfect, the lunch was superb. This had the makings of a perfect execution of an event that relied about fifty percent on the weather. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. Being somewhat conservative at heart when it comes to my sailing condition envelope, I didn’t feel good about putting folks out on the water in weather that was deteriorating. I didn’t want anything resembling a Fastnet-on-the-St.-Johns.
Therefore, I decided that the practice starts and the practice race would take place the next weekend. From where I sat, at the dock, the same thing was happening. A look at the radar scan so thoughtfully provided by Continental Cable showed me the larger picture that was mostly greens and yellows of rain and heavier weather approaching. Foiled two weeks in a row.
All we’re trying to accomplish here is a few practice starts and a practice race. It’s frustrating to have an event like the Adopt-a-Racer get to the point of applying the lectures only to be shut down by inclement weather. My apologies to all those involved for Poseidon’s complete lack of regard to NFCC in failing to provide decent weather.
But, I think I have a solution. It seemed to me that the enthusiasm was there to support a series of practice starts and races through the summer months. Yeah, I know, there isn’t much wind at that time of the year, but bear with me. Here’s what I intend to do. Starting with the weekend following the St. Augustine Cruise, I’ll have LAUREL ANN in the vicinity of Daymark #13, south of the Buckman at 1600 every other Saturday that NFCC does NOT have an event scheduled. I’ll run a series of three starts, ten minutes apart, and they’ll be followed by a practice race, course to be decided at the time.
This is to be a fun event, to be used to further your boat handling skills in close order drill. It is also NOT restricted to our membership. If you know someone that isn’t a member that would like to get involved, invite them along. I think that as a club, we owe it to north east Florida sailors/boaters to share our knowledge and experience to make the water a safer place to be.
And, if you mark your calendar for this series, notice that the final weekend, August 24th, is the Rear Commodore’s cruise at Amity, and the skills you’ve built all summer in the practice starts/races will come in handy for the long-absent Rear Commodore’s Race. In the meantime, take a walk around the deck, and inspect every fitting you can see, then come out for the practice starts and races.