This blog has taken a little longer than planned to get published. I was busy running around Europe for awhile and then geting settled again in Canada but now I am back on track.
I power-boated for years but in 2006 at the age of 57 I decided to take up sailing, something I had always had an interest in. I researched different courses and decided to start with one offered by my local yacht club in the interior of BC, Canada. They prepared people to crew for summer races on a variety of different sailboats.
After I had taken the course and felt confident on the water during the races, it was suggested I go for my whitewater III certification. This was solo sailing on a small craft.
It was one thing to be told what to do in the middle of a race and share the experience with others. It was another thing to be up against the elements by myself. I was very nervous when the instructor wanted me in the boat by myself the first time. The wind had come up and I was expected to sail across the lake and back solo. I surprised myself and actually did it without too much difficulty.
A few practice sessions later I was ready to be tested for my certification. The day dawned warm and sultry....and right in the middle of a long weekend! By 10 am the boat chop pulling skiiers, tubers, and boarders was crazy and I was in the middle of all the mess!
My test consisted of first "turtling" the boat. That meant dumping the craft upside down and loosening the rudder. I had no problem doing that. Then I had to set the rudder and right the boat before sailing it safely into shore again. That was a challenge in calm conditions, let alone rough seas! I had taken physics in school and knew my weight would work as a lever to bring the craft upright. What I hadn't factored in was laughter. It's very difficult to concentrate when you are bent double from laughing, trying to do something that is way too crazy for someone my age. Right? I could imagine my friends watching my antics. Thank goodness none of them were aware of my plans that day.
I blew my first and second attempt and only had one more change before the instructor failed me. I knew I had to succeed. And I did!
I was back in the boat and shaking from the experience, or was that caused by the boat chop rushing around me, rocking me like crazy? I wasn't far from shore but the winds were playing havic with the sail. Gradually I got turned around and filled in the sheet. Then a sudden gust caught the sail and I was heading straight for the dock! I could see open mouths as I approached and heard someone yelling, "Let go of the sail!" So I did..and managed a turn with three feet to spare.
"Whew. That was a close call." I muttered to myself.
"Hey, Susan? Did you have a good time?" I looked up at the dock. It was one of my colleagues from work.
I grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I did."
Just then the instructor approached in her boat.
"Awesome save, Susan. You passed with flying colours, or flying boat I guess I should say! Congratulations. Come up to the clubhouse and I'll sign your certificate."
Little did she know how close I had come to destroying the boat. Or maybe she did.
I was proud to get my certification but had already decided I would never make a solo sailor!
For anyone who enjoys sailing, pick up a copy of "By The Grace of The Sea" written by Pat Henry. Ms. Henry began sailing solo around the world at the age of 48 years and eight years later she completed it. She is unofficially the oldest woman to ever make the journey. Ms. Henry makes her home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico but is a popular motivational keynote speaker around the world.
I power-boated for years but in 2006 at the age of 57 I decided to take up sailing, something I had always had an interest in. I researched different courses and decided to start with one offered by my local yacht club in the interior of BC, Canada. They prepared people to crew for summer races on a variety of different sailboats.
After I had taken the course and felt confident on the water during the races, it was suggested I go for my whitewater III certification. This was solo sailing on a small craft.
It was one thing to be told what to do in the middle of a race and share the experience with others. It was another thing to be up against the elements by myself. I was very nervous when the instructor wanted me in the boat by myself the first time. The wind had come up and I was expected to sail across the lake and back solo. I surprised myself and actually did it without too much difficulty.
A few practice sessions later I was ready to be tested for my certification. The day dawned warm and sultry....and right in the middle of a long weekend! By 10 am the boat chop pulling skiiers, tubers, and boarders was crazy and I was in the middle of all the mess!
My test consisted of first "turtling" the boat. That meant dumping the craft upside down and loosening the rudder. I had no problem doing that. Then I had to set the rudder and right the boat before sailing it safely into shore again. That was a challenge in calm conditions, let alone rough seas! I had taken physics in school and knew my weight would work as a lever to bring the craft upright. What I hadn't factored in was laughter. It's very difficult to concentrate when you are bent double from laughing, trying to do something that is way too crazy for someone my age. Right? I could imagine my friends watching my antics. Thank goodness none of them were aware of my plans that day.
I blew my first and second attempt and only had one more change before the instructor failed me. I knew I had to succeed. And I did!
I was back in the boat and shaking from the experience, or was that caused by the boat chop rushing around me, rocking me like crazy? I wasn't far from shore but the winds were playing havic with the sail. Gradually I got turned around and filled in the sheet. Then a sudden gust caught the sail and I was heading straight for the dock! I could see open mouths as I approached and heard someone yelling, "Let go of the sail!" So I did..and managed a turn with three feet to spare.
"Whew. That was a close call." I muttered to myself.
"Hey, Susan? Did you have a good time?" I looked up at the dock. It was one of my colleagues from work.
I grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I did."
Just then the instructor approached in her boat.
"Awesome save, Susan. You passed with flying colours, or flying boat I guess I should say! Congratulations. Come up to the clubhouse and I'll sign your certificate."
Little did she know how close I had come to destroying the boat. Or maybe she did.
I was proud to get my certification but had already decided I would never make a solo sailor!
For anyone who enjoys sailing, pick up a copy of "By The Grace of The Sea" written by Pat Henry. Ms. Henry began sailing solo around the world at the age of 48 years and eight years later she completed it. She is unofficially the oldest woman to ever make the journey. Ms. Henry makes her home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico but is a popular motivational keynote speaker around the world.
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