I'm not sure this post qualifies for "Sailing with George and Vicky"... I wasn't sailing, Vicky is still in China and Seas The Day was only involved because I boarded it briefly to get my hat and change shoes so as not to scuff up the photography boat. But it was a KYC activity, so I'm posting it.
One of the things I like a lot about Keport Yacht Club is that it runs a non-profit junior sailing program. In this program, kids as young as 8 can learn to sail in "Optis" (I hope i have that spelled right) and older kids sail 2 to a team in 420s. Each of the clubs around the bay have a similar program and each hosts a "regatta" (e.g., series of races) at different times during the summer. Friday was our turn and since I have a soft spot in my heart for kid's programs, I volunteer a day off from work to photograph this event.
I never know quite what to expect for this... I'm always promised to have a "photography boat" but frequently it is one of the launches from another club and I'm at the mercy of others who may want to see a particular group of boats. (I should say that the regatta involves different "classes" for different skill levels, frequently scattered around the Keyport area.)
This year I struck gold... after finding out that my "photography boat" was also assigned to anchor near the younger Opti area as a "sub-committee" boat, I was invited on board the Instructors boat, skippered by none other than Jaye herself! Hank and Claudia came aboard as well when their "mark moving" skiff failed to start. One boat, three jobs!
It was a blast! I was definitely the old geezer of the bunch, but because I was with the instructors tasked with organizing the race, we could go basically wherever we wanted. That meant that Jaye could take me within 30ft (maybe closer) of the marks and literally follow the action from start to finish. The only trade off was that we focused more on the older kids, but that makes for more exciting photos!
Here are my "Top 40" showing the day. I hope it gives a flavor of all the fun - and work - from a myriad of people (Launch drivers, volunteers, parents, and the kids as well) that help put something like this together.
Skippers Meeting
Sunscreen can sting
Volunteers from other clubs
Start of a race!
It's exciting to watch a team that has been together a couple of seasons.
You can find the whole series here...
No comments:
Post a Comment