First and foremost, I wanted to thank everyone for an AMAZING float party last Friday! The kids, parents, AND instructors had a fabulous time watching the biggest event EYC Junior Sailing has ever had take place. Though we weren't expecting everyone to clear out so fast, I know we all had a lot of fun for the time were there. A special "Thank You" goes out to all that helped make it a great night, including float party master Don Hancock. Hope to see you all next session!
As week 3 at Eastern Junior Sailing came to a close, the instructors met one night to discuss their favorite kids in the program. After five hours of talking and two boxes of pizza, we realized that each of the 68 junior sailors we have is special and unique in their own way. It's impossible to choose just a few kids who we love when everyone holds a special place in our hearts.
On a semi-related note, the Sloops class this week got went further out than ever before! Each person got a chance to steer and work the swells coming into Salem Sound. Their local hangout, "The Bow", is usually the preferred place to sail from when they're not steering, but once the wind comes up, most move across town to "The Low Side" and hang out on the bench down there! (Catch some references here, please)
Moving up a year, the Intro to Junior Sailing class has been trained and tested this week when it comes to sailing without an instructor. Unlike the first two weeks, week 3 brought much less breeze which made it more manageable to sail alone. As a stronger base of knowledge is built up on land, so too is the amount of fun this class has on the water!
If you were born in the year of the Ram, you're probably in Opti I! Not only do the junior sailors in Opti I now know their zodiac sign (if you tell them what is after you read this article), but they also know how to dock properly without ramming the dock! (ha?) The kids of opti I also got out with only 1 in a boat at one point during the week, proving that this Opti I class has been the most advanced Opti I class to ever move through our program! So proud of these children, we are.
The Opti II class keeps proving to be stars with their beautiful tacking and jibing skills, along with their natural abilities being flaunted in their boats. Prepping for the tribulations of Opti III, the up and comings are mastering every part of sailing an Opti. With some more time in the boats, they'll be celebrated sailing figures in no time. In the past, the Opti II class has been the biggest class of the session, but this year it proves to be much smaller and therefore geared to more specific needs of the class. For this, we are pleased.
Get pumped everybody. Why? Because Opti III is for Race Week. After a pep talk from EYC Sailing Director Greg Wilkinson, the squad was ready to go. Look for the MJRW update next week. Get amongst it!!!
Note: In a nostalgic memory found recently by an old friend of mine, the picture featured in this weeks issue is myself, Tucker Blagden, at age 12, gettin' amongst it downwind.
