Sail Ho! ... ho .. ho. I’m in the spirit of the season, paging through sailing equipment and gift catalogues and perusing the Christmas cards with sailboats in holiday décor. Lonestar sits in my driveway on its trailer, hitched to a five reindeer team with an electric light harness and adorned with hoisted sails made of matted lights with a large lighted Christmas star at the top where the Star logo would be. Of course I haven’t forgotten the navigation aids, so there is a blow-up lighthouse with-Santa strategically placed in the yard to guide this nautical sleigh to its mythical destinations. Too bad I can’t put this display on the water for the annual holiday parades of lighted boats on December 6 and 10.
What is on your gift list for the holidays? How about a gift of sailing? It’s the kind of gift that can keep on giving. Someone gave it to me long ago, long before I had enough money to have my own boat. Take someone sailing. During the summer I met a young man, Rob Bauleke, from my alma mater and invited him to go sailing. He had a great time. I directed his attention to our SSSS web site and all the fun things our Members do. It peaked his interest and desire and he is now signed on to the crew of Liberty. After experiencing a drifting start, adverse currents, race position changes, and gale force wind and rain all in one race, he is undeterred and promises to be an avid racer. He’s now got the sailing bug. Spread the contagion. Take someone on a December sail. But bring along that hot, seasonal drink to spark a little extra holiday sailing spirit.
Our December Meeting is the holiday potluck and another chance to share the warmth of the season with fellow sailors. Also on the event calendar is the Winter Vashon Race sponsored by the Tacoma Yacht Club. New race crew members, this is a race you don’t want to miss for its party and its competition on the water. As Dave Knowlton said in the November S-t-S, it’s your chance to race with the “big dogs from up North”.
Have a wonderful sailing holiday season. Share the joy with your crewmates. Be safe in the cold and wet. And join us to welcome in a New Year on the water at our dockside New Year’s Eve Cruise.
Alex Bromen, Nightwind / Lonestar