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  •  This is a crew type rowing? (2+ / 0-)

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    sobermom, Eddie C

    Sounds great, and a terrific way to exercise and spend time with other good people.
      Good for you.
       Here in Socal we have outrigger clubs...scary though. they jump out and back in another boat...dam silly if you ask me.And in the Ocean, yipes. I've spent most of my competitive sailing time trying to stay in or on the boiat, jumping out just ain't right!
      My happy story is my fantastic 16yr old neice has this summer been steering the boat she and my brother(now crew) sail in local dinghy races. I've been after her for years encouraging her to take dad's boat out when he wasn't around...she's been sailing it since she was ten and knows what to do. (and it's kind of a family tradition to swipe the boat,car,motorcycle,bike before the Powers decide You're Ready.) She's 'nice' and a little quiet, but in a capable way, and for her to step up to steer is grreeeat.
      She told me last weekend (the best part of my happy story was the graduation and family picnic reunion) that she was going to buy a used Laser to sail....by herself w/o my manic but wonderful brother.
     

    Obama...Hope McCain...Nope

    by KenBee on Fri May 09, 2008 at 06:49:29 PM PDT

    [ Parent ]

    •  Yes crew (2+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      Eddie C, KenBee

      Quads actually.  The large boat open rowing looks scary and isn't practical up here where the water temperatures are still very low right now.

      That's great about your niece.  It's wonderful that she had the encouragement to start and now she's got the confidence to continue.

      Here's some simple advice: Always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously. And beware of advice from experts, pigs, and members of Parliament. Kermit

      by sobermom on Fri May 09, 2008 at 08:12:25 PM PDT

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      •  And I taught her father to sail (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        sobermom, Eddie C

        Two years ago I visited (Lake Washington) and crewed for her dad/my brother. We won all three races, and afterwards were quietly gloating, and brother was introducing me as the one who taught him to sail (I'd forgotten)
          A priceless response from one Captain of Non-Profit Industry, who we'd sat on (blocked his wind) relentlessly..."oh, I thought you were some guy he picked up in a bar for crew weight" (it was windy, I look...scruffy). This guy lives in the Highwoods, makes gazillion$ working for a national 'non-profit' and is so bummed about being beaten in a wed. night  beer can race he has to get snarky with me. Ha!
          That became a teaching moment for the kids as well...

         One time with my brother we pitchpoled a catamaran at about 20 knots in LA Harbor...the last I saw of him was his big goo goo googley eyes as he swung out around the front of the sails, hanging by the trapeze wire. The boat instantly stops, he's still doing 20.) The mast ,sails, and hulls and me all promptly stuffed in on top of him.  And he still sails, yay!

          The rowing sounds like it could be the Lake Union cut in Seattle, but anywhere doing that is terrific.
           Keep at it!

        Obama...Hope McCain...Nope

        by KenBee on Fri May 09, 2008 at 09:13:29 PM PDT

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