What A Great Summer

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What a great summer we had. There was the Good Winds Sailing Festival held by the Edmonton Remote Control Sailing Association in Edmonton Sept 2006. After sailing with friends all year long, it was enjoyable to present our association to the general public.  Boats of all sizes and shapes were on display and available for try-outs.

Sailing is one of those pastimes that allows the fresh air to fill your lungs, while pleasant conversations saturate the environment. It’s a stress free sport that enhances your lifestyle and invites camaraderie. Among the participants, we say, “No Heart Attacks Here.”

People are pleasantly surprised when they see the amount and diversity of the sailing vessels on the ponds. I still get asked the question, “What makes them go? A motor?” My response is, “The wind.” After a brief explanation on sailing techniques and how we control the boats, we get another enthusiastic participant. Then they ask, “How do we sail against the wind?” Well, an old saying goes, “We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust our sails.” We learn to tack.

Since the weather is getting a little nippy, it’s time to sail our Land Yachts. Sailing on tarmac and pavement comes with a different set of rules. The Land Yachts are much faster, and they turn faster. Our club record is 38 km in a 16 km wind. Maybe another record will be broken this year. I’d better hurry on that record, for winter is just around the corner.

Ah, I’m looking forward to winter, so I can try out my recently overhauled Ice Yacht. Yes, you heard me, an Ice Yacht. Take the roller wheels off the Land Yacht, replace them with blades, and voila!

Yes, it is going to be a good year. After all the sailing accidents, computer crashes and general repairs around here, I need the rest of the year to be stress free.

I will digress here. My sailing yacht was sunk by a 45 km remote control speed boat, and there is a lot of damage to repair. Right now, it’s in dry dock getting overhauled in a club member’s garage. The repairs are progressing well; in fact it’s a new shape & design. With the improved design it will sail faster. So I guess there is a silver lining in the clouds after all.

Take up a hobby, learn to sail, join us on the ponds this winter and feel alive. The TV control can wait for a few hours, your mind and body cannot.