Another Light Air Day
Even though February is the third windiest month of the year, It’s been light winds for the most part so far. The ideal condition for us is 5-12 knots. The good news is that we can choose from our different boats and make programming happen in calm and much windier conditions. Whatever it is, we can not control the wind, but we sure can adjust our sails.
Intermediate Sailors - Morning Session
Most of the 8-kids in the program had arrived by 9 AM. It’s a 3-hour session, so time is of the essence. We proceeded to rig six RS Fevas, two boats with jib and four boats with main only. The lesson plan for the day was to practice “lining up”. This is when boats start sailing on a close-hauled point of sail and are slightly overlapped. The most leeward boat has the bow out on the boat to windward. Boats in the front have to sail slowly so that the boats behind can catch up. Everyone must have their own lane and then gradually pick up to full speed in order to keep their position. It’s like in Track & Field when runners have a staggered starting line. Anyway, it’s a beautiful thing when it happens. It’s not easy in very light and puffy conditions, but we all know that practice makes perfect!
Beginner Sailors - Afternoon Session
Kids from Camillus House ‘s Verde Gardens community joined in with our regular group today. A few kids from Breakthrough Miami and Big Brothers Big Sisters, who we now consider regulars at Team Paradise, also joined in. Only one kid from the intermediate morning session was able to stay and help.
We greeted each and every sailor as they arrived. The Siebel Sailors program protocol was adhered to, and the five Siebel “Habits of Excellence” were reviewed, and everyone was “on board.”
Our volunteers are second to none! As a group, we have evolved to become a very cohesive group of people who get along. Everyone is enthusiastic about our mission. As I mentioned in my previous blog, a couple of volunteers are currently studying to become L-1 Certified Youth Instructors and they are gradually able to assist in more ways than one. One thing for sure, they make my life a lot easier!
The wind was light, but we made it out using two RS Fevas, one RS Venture, the Boston Whaler coach boat, and the Castoldi Safety boat (see more info on our boats). This time our destination was the Twin Sisters sand bar by the Deering Channel. Kids played in the water, we used the mattress and our “Super Soaker” water toys. Some traded off sailing while we were anchored and one of the volunteers had some sailing practice as well.
We returned to the US Sailing Center at about 4.15 PM. Everyone (almost) helped with the de-rigging and putting the boats and equipment back in resting mode. One of our awesome volunteers performed the “Keep-Start-Stop” sequence of the program. This is where kids can voice their opinion and make an impact on what we might do the next time they come.
The group was released at 5.15 PM. That’s 15-minutes late, but I trust it was worth it. It’s nice when the kids say to one another, “see you next week”!