In the past two years I have jumped out of airplanes, bungee jumped off massive drops, swung across canyons...yet I was never as scared as I was tonight, sailing in Wellington harbor. Tonight, my second night of my sailing course, we were supposed to join the members racing, but the dangerous gusts (some up to 130 kms) meant the race was canceled, yet after our class time, our instructor decided the wind had died down enough and we went out for a sail.
Now this class is not learn to sail, it is a course for those familiar with these keel boats (about 21ft) and with racing experience. I am well over my head here, which is why I was so nervous in the first place. Add my lack of confidence, to the extreme wind conditions, and you get a rapidly beating heart for two hours. I have never felt so close to capsizing and never gotten so wet, needing to keep focused and working at the same time. It wasn't that I ever felt my life at risk, but not only was I scared of letting the others down b/c I didn't know what I was doing most of the time, but I was also sure I was going to get swept into the water rushing over the side. The calm periods were awesome, b/c the thrill of having gotten threw it was awesome, and looking out around me, we were the only boat in the middle of bay looking out at the sun set with a gorgeous landscape around us.
After we arrived home (very safely), I was soaking wet, but extremely happy. Even though I clearly am above my head in this class (not for lack of sailing experience, but b/c of my complete unfamiliar state with this type of boat), its going to be a great learning experience, like everything else that I have done in my year out forcing me out of my comfort zone.
Alright its 1045, and Im exhausted...will have more updates on Wellington coming soon!
Now this class is not learn to sail, it is a course for those familiar with these keel boats (about 21ft) and with racing experience. I am well over my head here, which is why I was so nervous in the first place. Add my lack of confidence, to the extreme wind conditions, and you get a rapidly beating heart for two hours. I have never felt so close to capsizing and never gotten so wet, needing to keep focused and working at the same time. It wasn't that I ever felt my life at risk, but not only was I scared of letting the others down b/c I didn't know what I was doing most of the time, but I was also sure I was going to get swept into the water rushing over the side. The calm periods were awesome, b/c the thrill of having gotten threw it was awesome, and looking out around me, we were the only boat in the middle of bay looking out at the sun set with a gorgeous landscape around us.
After we arrived home (very safely), I was soaking wet, but extremely happy. Even though I clearly am above my head in this class (not for lack of sailing experience, but b/c of my complete unfamiliar state with this type of boat), its going to be a great learning experience, like everything else that I have done in my year out forcing me out of my comfort zone.
Alright its 1045, and Im exhausted...will have more updates on Wellington coming soon!
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