*whimper*

[gieves]

So, one of the many things that I haven't told you about, land of LJ, is that I've been learning how to sail this summer. It's great! There's this women's racing league that focuses on teaching and encouraging new sailors, so even though I'm learning by being thrown into the absolute deep end, it's quite fun. There's a lot of yelling by our

Comments

[sam16]

Cool! I don't know much about sailing, but it sounds like fun. Did you learn all your knots yet? That's probably the only part of being a sailor that I could be competent at right now. :)

[gieves]

*laughs* Embarrassingly, no. I missed the night that we had knot lessons (one of the bad weather race nights) and nobody has caught me up yet. I'm trying to teach myself the bowline, but can't say that I have it down yet.

You're one up on me, fireman!

[sam16]

This site is the next best thing to actually having someone show you in person (which is the best way to learn): http://www.animatedknots.com/

Also, keep in mind that for most types of knots, there are multiple ways to tie them. So don't be surprised if three different people show you three ways to tie a bowline. ;)

So far I know the bowline, the clove hitch, the half-hitch, figure 8, figure 8 trace, figure 8 on a bight, and becket bend. But I've got nothing on the guys in our department who are also in the Coast Guard. Those nautical types really know their knots!

Out of curiosity, did you always have an interest in sailing, or was this just a random out-of-nowhere sort of thing?

[gieves]

Thanks for the web link, that is an awesome website. I should bring rope to work or something... ;-)

So far I have seen the bowline demonstrated differently by right-handed and left-handed people, which is confusing for the unaware. I also got a chance last night to practice the bowlines, slip and square knots that we need for starters.

As for sailing, I've had a very vague interest in it for years: both of my uncles own and race sailboats. But when I was a teenager, my Cleveland uncle got me on his boat to crew during a couple of races and it was traumatic. He's, erm, ferociously competitive and yells, the weather was miserable, and I threw up a lot... so I didn't really sail again except one or two pleasure cruises.

But then this spring we were tooling around in Jamaica on a Hobie cat (but with none of that leaning out over the water crap) and I found it terrific fun; I had an idiot's epiphany that my liking for boats and boating meant that maybe I should try sailing again. My aunt mentioned the women's league to me about two

[oogby]

That sounds so cool! I don't know anything about sailing, so it was really neat to read about all that, especially how physical it is. I had no idea.

[gieves]

It's insanely physical when the wind is up, though it can also be quite leisurely and calm when the wind's not gusting.

Previous races gave me no indication of the effort I'd have to invest; last night was a revelation for both Erin and me. (We were red-faced and sweaty about 10 minutes into the race.) I spent a good chunk of last night giving thanks that I've been lifting weights even desultorily this summer! I can't imagine what would have happened to me (and the sails) otherwise.

[reasie]

oooo I've always wanted to sail!! How awesome!

[gieves]

It's fun!

I actually thought of you today when I looked at my shins; there are not many other people I know who engage in such damaging hobbies, but you're one of them! ;-)

[djmitche]

*jealous*

[gieves]

*pat pat*

If you keep living near water, I'll come sailing with you sometime... or you can come with me! I don't see myself buying a boat anytime soon, but I certainly plan to cultivate friendships with sailboat owners now. :-)

[sparklie_lady]

I still want to watch!

[gieves]

From a distance, I suspect it'll be like watching paint dry.

Last night might have been exciting to see, though: there was a great deal of jockeying for position at the starting line, and some near-collisions between boats finishing up their first race just as we started our second one. Lots of interweaving traffic to watch.

That said, we'll be racing at 7pm next Tuesday if you want to head to Edgewater to watch us.