On the Ocean Blue

To me, summer in New England stands for the beach, ocean, sand, sun, and sailing. Lots and lots of sailing. Ok, and it also stands for delicious Summer-specific foods too, like grilled corn on the cob, pasta salads, and fixen's on the grill...but sailing is definitely right on up there with the quintessential American S'more.

Growing up in Connecticut only a mere 10-15 minute drive from the coast of Long Island Sound, my sister and I quite naturally turned into mermaids at the end of June, spending every conceivable moment in the water. We also went to sailing school religiously. Each and every day. And that's where we both learned how to sail.

Little kids start small by learning the basics of sailing in the pint-sized Optimist (they're really cute if you've ever seen them bobbing out on the water...photo below). Starboard here, Port there. That's the Bow, that's the Stern. Additional learned skills include understanding wind directionals, tacking, right of way, basic knot tying, and how to rig and care for a boat. Then, a few years later after one is old enough, weighs enough, and has mastered the necessary techniques, graduation is learning how to sail and race a Laser.




Needless to say, I never grew out of the Lasers-are-so-much-fun! phase. It's the perfect 1-2 person boat. Straightforward to rig, very fast. Very fun. Very portable. Three years ago after seeing a "For Sail" ad for a gently used 2002 race-ready Laser, my father and I jumped at the chance and went 50/50 on it. We christened her the Minnow II.


I find sailing both relaxing and challenging at the same time, which is why it's my #1 summertime outdoor indulgence. There's always a sense of adventure involved, and I've always loved exploring little uninhabited islands on the Sound, ones only accessible by boat. Talk about the ultimate picnic destination! I'm also humbled by the wind and waves; the sailor is always at the mercy of Mother Nature. Having the ability to harness wind power to make a boat go towards a desired destination can, at times, make a sailor really think and map out a mental plan of action. Above all though, I admire that the art of sailing is a lifelong learning process. Skills are most often learned and retained through hands-on experience, and one truly absorbs them best when adapting to ever changing wind patterns, weather, tides, and caring for a craft that demands constant attention.

The inaugural summer launching of the Minnow II was a couple weekends ago. Though, I'll admit it took a few extra hands to make sure all was sea-worthy before setting sail after a long winter hibernation, it was purely exhilarating to be out on the water again. I wish there had been a bit more wind, but luckily for us sailors, summer has only just begun.