Harbor Mice
I finished my sailing class (called the Harbor Mice) at Carlyle Lake in Illinois, and I learned a lot and had a good time.
A group of us each solo sailed little boats called Opti's.
Here I am getting the boat (and me) ready to go.
It is important to tie down the mast so it does not fly away.
The dagger board keeps the boat from sliding sideways.
The first lessons were a little scary. The wind was so high that the other boats were afraid to go out, and our Optis were flipping us into the water.
Sitting out over the edge of the boat helped some, but it was a challenge in so much wind.
I was not sure I wanted to go back, and mom and dad said I did not have to. But the next week I got the hang of things, and now I love sailing by myself. I think I may be the only kid in my school who can sail, which is kind of neat.
Here are some moves as I sail around the harbor:
My teachers even let me go out onto the big lake, which is about 3 miles wide and 9 miles long.
Dad says that now I know more about sailing correctly than he does.
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I've never seen a boat that size... perfect for you to learn what it takes to be a sailor
Glad to see you're getting your "sea legs" at a relative young age. You will never regret it or get enough of sailing. Don't tell your dad, but I'm getting him a t-shirt with all the nautical flags (and meanings) on the back so you two can have fun learning them (whoops, he probably is reading this message right now!) Everyone should learn how to sail, since the oceans are rising all over the world & boating may become the "wave" of the future in transportation. Did the family Hobbie Cat ever get a name?
Wow this looks like lots of fun! After you put in your time and graduate up, we'll have to visit and you guys can take us out for a sail.
this is way cool .. congrats! I've always wanted to take a sailing class myself. Maybe someday you can take me out on a boat and teach me? I'm a very slow learner so i hope you have patience.
and .. that last picture, that is the longest picture EVER
Grandpa Denny,
We still are thinking about the name, maybe we could take a vote on the name for the sail boat!
Uncle Brian,
Yes it is a long picture. Can you take panarama pictures?