Every time I tell people here that I just got done sailing and I'm exhausted, they look at me like I'm crazy. Then I explain to them what my day was like, and they tell me I shouldn't say I was sailing because it sounds like I'm just sitting and cruising on a boat all day. So, I figured that I'd explain my experiences here for a greater audience to know, and also, honestly, to help me verbalize it better.
I sail on a boat called Andiamo. It is owned by a late 30s (I think) man, who is called Tails (real alias= Andrew). There is a permanent crew of 9, most of whom have been sailing with Tails since he bought the boat 12 years ago. It is a 60 ft boat (Dont remember what kind), and it has a lot of expensive and complicated accessories to make it really fast, so they typically sail with 12 people when they're not offshore, which is why I am invited along for the harbor races that they participate in most Saturdays (run through the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, the Club where I took the Skills course). When Tails bought the boat him and his friends did not know too much about sailing, which I really think is cool because they all became dedicated to becoming good at it together. They developed a system where after a race, they would have a debriefing to discuss what went wrong, and whoever messed up the most, had to take this Barbie doll with them to the bar wherever they were, and then display that Barbie doll all week at work (they even get into each other's work buildings to make sure the rules are being followed). After 12 years and many, many mistakes, but also many, many successes they are extremely accomplished sailors. Their knowledge of the wind and its affects on the boat and the surroundings is absolutely astounding, along with their knowledge of all sails and parts of the boat. Even though they are really good at sailing, they are not pretentious in any way, in fact they are often pretty vulgar, but that makes the boat fun to be on...if they didn't get a long so well- like to the point where they can openly criticize and take criticism, then it would not be a sustainable racing boat.
For me, a typical harbor racing day consists of arriving around 11. I help bring sails down from the shed and then try to help out getting the boat ready to go. Usually, I'm extremely intimidated, and try to remain out of the way because I'm not sure what to be doing. After sunscreen, filling up water and final checks, we're on our way around 12. We then sail around checking new stuff out around the harbor (boats, statues that have been put in, or last week there were dragon boat races) and then head out a little bit to start testing out the wind and figuring out how we're gonna start the course. By 1 we've usually started the race. My job is either to adjust the runners in the back, or help at the bow. I get really nervous every time I have to do my job, not because I don't know what to do, but because I feel so out of my element around these people, that I do not want to mess up. Most often, I get to my post with the correct timing and only need to be told what to do a couple of times, but those times are rather intimidating. I usually wind up with bruises all over my legs, b/c the most important thing is throwing your body over to the other side of the boat at the proper times, and getting to where you need to be, no matter who or what is in your way. Depending on my job--pulling in the sails, the kite, hoisting the sails or grinding, I usually get my heart pumping pretty fast after every tack or jibe.
The boat we're on is the biggest out of the fleet that sails in the harbor races, so the race is basically against the handicap, yet they are still very focused on the other boats making sure they're are aware of absolutely every moment. One persons sole job is to call the wind. The other boat that Andiamo used to have a rivalry with had some major crew problems a couple weeks of ago. They could no longer get along, so the owner decided to put the boat up for sail. Even though Andiamo loved to hate this boat, they were disappointed b/c it meant less real competition for them on the water. I found it interesting that they immediately began to discuss any crew they might want to grab from the boat...they decided no, because everyone on that boat had been rather disrespectful to the crew members on our boat, one throwing his beer bottle onto the dock when they were done sailing one day.
After we finish the races and derig the boat. Everyone loosens up and brings out lots of alcohol. They make rum and cokes, poor wine and serve beer while they talk about the race and everything else going on in their lives--the exchange rate, the government, moving houses, setting up a farm, their kids. It's really interesting to be a part of, and a nice change from the conversation of 20 somethings. We then close up the boat and head down the road to the yacht club. This is where everyone from the day's races gathers for more drinks, socializing, and the reading of the results. I usually only hang round for one drink b/c it gets awkward since I don't really know that many people. Around 7, I leave in a great mood, a little more bruised, but happy for doing spending the day on the beautiful harbor, racing a sail boat and learning an immense amount more about the sport.
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