...no not my latest training run! Just the most exhilarating event on the West Coast for skiffs, kite boarders and windsurfers!
Bridge2Bridge Promo:
Join the fun and be part of the "SKIFF" documentary!
Fair Winds,
Jenn
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Back To School...
It's the time of year where returning to school is fresh on the mind unless you have no children, done with school and happen to give it little thought till all off sudden caught behind the big yellow bus for the first time in months...
In preparation for graduate school, have been searching for scholarships and or grants which support individuals interested in heading to school for the goal of working in the sailing industry...very very few. The yacht clubs prevailed with 500-1000$ to assist their sailing youth, which makes a little dent but otherwise nothing really stood out.
Youth and adult sailing clubs, clinics and organizations are wonderful for supporting the sport, however, what about the individual who may not aspire to sail under the Olympic rings or work as professional crew or captain? How about those who find homage in the lifestyle of the sport and would like to contribute and play an active role? The young sailor who loves to watch the weather...or the artful one who has a way with computers...love of science and water...the list is endless!
How about our industry's leaders budgeting a scholarship fund for the young sailor who whats to go to college and design the next generation of boats, rigging, computer systems, etc...just a thought...
~Jenn
In preparation for graduate school, have been searching for scholarships and or grants which support individuals interested in heading to school for the goal of working in the sailing industry...very very few. The yacht clubs prevailed with 500-1000$ to assist their sailing youth, which makes a little dent but otherwise nothing really stood out.
Youth and adult sailing clubs, clinics and organizations are wonderful for supporting the sport, however, what about the individual who may not aspire to sail under the Olympic rings or work as professional crew or captain? How about those who find homage in the lifestyle of the sport and would like to contribute and play an active role? The young sailor who loves to watch the weather...or the artful one who has a way with computers...love of science and water...the list is endless!
How about our industry's leaders budgeting a scholarship fund for the young sailor who whats to go to college and design the next generation of boats, rigging, computer systems, etc...just a thought...
~Jenn
Thursday, July 05, 2007
It's not the Tour de France a la Voile...
...but Mystic Mudhead Midnight Madness Regatta on a Mumm30 will be a little New England teaser for this gal! Hmmm...knew there was a reason not to hide my warm fleecy wear...maybe summer in New England but it's going to be chilly and wet!
Regardless, we have a great line up of crew...full report to be posted Sunday.
Till then there is regular video footage posted on the Tour's Website for all you Mumm30 junkies!
~Jenn
(posted 12July07)
It was madness and my full write up WAY to long to post....we took line honors and overall ~ Fantastic for a night full of fun from riding waves, weaving through lobster pots, endless display of fireworks, a red moon, beach fires that lit our way around Block Island...a green fireball of a shooting star...I kid not! The best gorp and brownies one could hope (thank you Vicki!) for an on the rail past midnight energy boost...when the absolute "quietness" concerned me that our crew were fast asleep...but not...just enjoying the ride...flying an A-sym on a Mumm30...about time I say!...to more lobster pot weaving...man we were so lucky as we cut through groups at a time, however with so much energy and focus on which red blinking light on the horizon marked our finish...it all just worked out.
It was an excellent night of sailing ~ thank you guys!
Regardless, we have a great line up of crew...full report to be posted Sunday.
Till then there is regular video footage posted on the Tour's Website for all you Mumm30 junkies!
~Jenn
(posted 12July07)
It was madness and my full write up WAY to long to post....we took line honors and overall ~ Fantastic for a night full of fun from riding waves, weaving through lobster pots, endless display of fireworks, a red moon, beach fires that lit our way around Block Island...a green fireball of a shooting star...I kid not! The best gorp and brownies one could hope (thank you Vicki!) for an on the rail past midnight energy boost...when the absolute "quietness" concerned me that our crew were fast asleep...but not...just enjoying the ride...flying an A-sym on a Mumm30...about time I say!...to more lobster pot weaving...man we were so lucky as we cut through groups at a time, however with so much energy and focus on which red blinking light on the horizon marked our finish...it all just worked out.
It was an excellent night of sailing ~ thank you guys!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sailing with finesse...
...on a 30 foot boat with "big jobs" and little sailors...
This weekend awarded the opportunity to share the Mumm30 experience with a fellow sailor. I was able to sail the boat, once again, from beginners eyes and brought back to the day when I was once told I was too small to do the fore deck on a Mumm30...
As I walked through the fore deck and pit positions, flooding her head with way too much information, it occurred to me all the explanations, tips and tricks were geared towards someone who can't "muscle through" a job or task.
As a science fanatic, I do respect anatomy and physiology, knowing some "bodies" are better suited for different types of jobs within the different levels of sailing. With that said, not being a very big person who aspires to sail on medium to big boats, getting the job done on occasion requires some mental and physical finesse.
So... Sailing Finesse 101...which only works if you have sailing 101 under your belt...
"Big jobs can be done by little people...remember David and Goliath..."
Use your head...think ahead...respect own abilities and inabilities and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed (leave the ego at the dock, bringing the humble heart on board)...still struggling to get the job done...is it because of feeling too small...not strong enough...can a different "tool" be used to help complete the job...could a tweak in "how" the job is performed help...or, at last..."communication" to fellow crew to set a slightly different stage to perform the job (my fav...."please square the pole"...)???
Aside from on the water practice, trial and error there is land training to the aid of us little sailors who can...want to be a 5 foot halyard jumping rock star on a 50+ foot boat...you will have to use that 5 foot stretch of arm length to it's fullest potential with both speed, strength and agility (since stable surface only occurs while docked).
How?
Perform an "air hoist" with a coach to first assess if full range of motion(ROM) is being employed, then either head to the gym or fitness center to consult a trainer in formulating a program/plan which maintains ROM, builds power in the movement with speed. Freestyle swimming, climbing and rowing are all great (and fun) extracurricular activities to build stamina and strength for rock star hoisting and many other jobs on a sailboat.
Need more guidance ... ask SailTrim. On land training, positive attitude and on the water practice can help someone tune their mental and physical attributes to finesse most "big jobs" on any size boat...
Fair Winds,
Jenn
The little black figure on the bow is me at this years Acura Grand Prix:
Photo: Tim Wilkes 2007
Besides "beginner's eyes" on this weekends sail, gratitude to the people who gave me the chance to try the "big jobs" despite little hands. ~ Thanks to my Mudheads and Family!
This weekend awarded the opportunity to share the Mumm30 experience with a fellow sailor. I was able to sail the boat, once again, from beginners eyes and brought back to the day when I was once told I was too small to do the fore deck on a Mumm30...
As I walked through the fore deck and pit positions, flooding her head with way too much information, it occurred to me all the explanations, tips and tricks were geared towards someone who can't "muscle through" a job or task.
As a science fanatic, I do respect anatomy and physiology, knowing some "bodies" are better suited for different types of jobs within the different levels of sailing. With that said, not being a very big person who aspires to sail on medium to big boats, getting the job done on occasion requires some mental and physical finesse.
So... Sailing Finesse 101...which only works if you have sailing 101 under your belt...
"Big jobs can be done by little people...remember David and Goliath..."
Use your head...think ahead...respect own abilities and inabilities and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed (leave the ego at the dock, bringing the humble heart on board)...still struggling to get the job done...is it because of feeling too small...not strong enough...can a different "tool" be used to help complete the job...could a tweak in "how" the job is performed help...or, at last..."communication" to fellow crew to set a slightly different stage to perform the job (my fav...."please square the pole"...)???
Aside from on the water practice, trial and error there is land training to the aid of us little sailors who can...want to be a 5 foot halyard jumping rock star on a 50+ foot boat...you will have to use that 5 foot stretch of arm length to it's fullest potential with both speed, strength and agility (since stable surface only occurs while docked).
How?
Perform an "air hoist" with a coach to first assess if full range of motion(ROM) is being employed, then either head to the gym or fitness center to consult a trainer in formulating a program/plan which maintains ROM, builds power in the movement with speed. Freestyle swimming, climbing and rowing are all great (and fun) extracurricular activities to build stamina and strength for rock star hoisting and many other jobs on a sailboat.
Need more guidance ... ask SailTrim. On land training, positive attitude and on the water practice can help someone tune their mental and physical attributes to finesse most "big jobs" on any size boat...
Fair Winds,
Jenn
The little black figure on the bow is me at this years Acura Grand Prix:
Photo: Tim Wilkes 2007
Besides "beginner's eyes" on this weekends sail, gratitude to the people who gave me the chance to try the "big jobs" despite little hands. ~ Thanks to my Mudheads and Family!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
18 Foot Affair...
It's an affair to remember and one worth repeating...sitting here with a beautiful office view of the Connecticut valley, reflecting over my last office view of skiffs screaming across the waters of LakeGarda , Italy...I take a moment and look up the dates of the next European event...the country view is breath taking but a "sea" of skiffs awaiting launch makes my heart flutter.
Photo: J. Langille
The world of keel boats would regulate my pulse if not for dear friend Mason Woodworth's skiff ambition launching around the same time SailTrim.Org arrived on the virtual scene. I still recall the day...sitting at my cubical in biotech land and looking up the 18footer instead of staring aimlessly at excel spreadsheets... As Mason and team (David Brown and Simone Hamilton) prepared for their first JJ Giltinan Championship event in Sydney 2006; I resigned from team "rat race" with promise to join the boys for the 2007 installment of JJ...and so the affair began as a long distance relationship.
Photo: C. Favreau
What's the attraction? Combination of speed, carbon fiber and large sail area...at least that's what tickled my fancy. The relationship began when I entered into their world.
My first skiff encounter was in Sydney and the skiff sailor's nature...strong characters with humble hearts drew me into the class. Each of the teams I encountered, whether top flight or breaking trail, carried themselves broadly both figuratively and literally, with their own boats upon shoulders as they made way to the water's edge knowing; no matter how good a sailor you think you are...the 18footer will test both skill and wit.
Photo: J. Langille
For you see...the 18 foot skiff is a bit of a mono-haul princess (my opinion of course!). If the sailor does not bestow on her every bit of their attention, meeting her needs...she'll dump them, quite literally. Not focused...you will go swimming...worried about a missed deadline at work...splash!
Photo: C.Favreau
No matter how humbled, never have I seen a skiff sailor give up from a day's carnage...broken rigs, blown sheets, bowsprits and torn sails...a lawn littered by tools, carbon fiber and rigging till the sun rises; ensuring another day of racing is had. It's off the water where one witnesses the true character of a skiff sailor...
Whether it's sharing tools, tips and tactics or turning the regatta tent party into a surprise 40th for one of their own...the 18 foot skiff sailor is of strong mind, tender heart and good humor...
Photo: J.Langille
They are some of the silliest folks I've met in the world of sailing, easily laughing off the day's events. Not sure whether it's due to the Aussie roots combined with British humor and the artistic Europeans...or one race course bringing together the corporate professional who's traded in his suit for neoprene along side the "whipper-snapper" of a sailor who cut classes to make the start (not sure if that's the case...). It's a fleet of mixed nationalities and sailing legends...like no other sailing scene I've witnessed!
No matter...once they leave shore, all are 18 foot skiff sailors...an elite group. It's an 18 foot affair I plan to keep close to heart...do not be surprised if my next tale is from the trapeze...
"Go big or go home..." ~ Team Aeon
~Jenn
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