This is too good to pass up.   You know how I’m always encouraging all of you to step out of your rut to try something new or learn something different or just get out there and do something fun?  

Well, I’m going to set a good example this week by taking a refresher sailing class.  I’ve always sailed several times a year with family and friends, but I’m usually part of the crew and just follow directions.  

I want to learn how to sail myself and to understand the theory and practice.  It’s a five day class and yesterday was the first lesson.   Yes, I am the oldest in the class by about 20 years - 4 20-somethings and 3 40-somethings.  But, hey I can do this. After an hour or so of classroom explanations of boat parts and wind dynamics, we put on our life vests and proceeded to the dock.  For the first lesson we would each sail a Sunfish with the staff circling us in a power boat to help out or rescue if need be.   

Now, I sailed one of these tiny little boats when I was a youngster here and I remembered it as a real thrill.  There is no better way to learn the relationship of wind and sail - there is just one small sail and a rudder.  This was going to be fun!    

What I failed to realize is that I’ve grown a lot since I was twelve and in order to sail one of these little crafts, I would have to stay bent over most of the time in order to see where I was going without getting whacked in the head by the boom.  I also had forgotten the cantankerous winds on this lake and after a great 20 minute straight sail across the water, I attempted to tack back the other direction and promptly capsized when a puff came out of nowhere!  

The sail center staff arrived to help me turn it upright and I set off to try again.  I hate to admit that I ended up in the water a second time about 30 minutes later but I was laughing both times.  Capsizing is a valuable lesson in sailing.   I headed for the dock to end the first lesson very wet and very tired.  But, I’m going back today and I’ll get a bigger boat to play with.    Stay tuned….