A few weeks ago, I taught the Adult Keelboat Basics class. Who knew teaching an adult, beginner course would be so different than teaching kids? However, the questions of “What are we going to do today?” and “When are we going sailing?” were asked with the same level of anticipation and an equally large smile. We saw some of the best weather all season. Each night offered plentiful wind, and even some high winds which made for excellent and exciting sailing. Every night also offered a gorgeous sunset and mild temperatures, really showing off Lake Champlain’s beauty. By the end of the week, each student steered the boat with ease and tacked and gybed like an old salt. On day four, they manned two Rhodes by themselves and even raced each other on a small course through Burlington Bay. They really thrived in that environment, and I had almost no criticisms for them as I followed in a motorboat. It was so refreshing for me to see someone pick up sailing so quickly and they all seemed so relaxed, as though they’d been sailing for years. On the last day, they even voted to race in the Sailing Center’s Friday Night 420 racing. While it wasn’t exactly keelboat sailing, it really reinforced everything they learned all week on a much smaller, closer scale. While they were afraid of the other competitors and of coming in last, it wasn’t even a worry. The students came in middle of the fleet each time and loved every minute of it. I was more than impressed with all the progress they made throughout the week, and I can’t wait to teach another group of adults one day.
-Emma
