The Seattle Laser Fleet (Lasers and RS Aeros) is just finishing up its 19/20 season today. In the last couple of days an email flurry has been going on about whether or not to hold event in light of the coronavirus. It’s not a huge fleet (<30 boats), but there is a gathering afterward in the clubhouse where there could be contact between the sailors. There isn’t enough manpower to have a race committee, which has never stopped the SLF from thrashing about on Puget Sound, so rabbit starts were agreed upon.
Some sailors have opted out, and one doctor who is on the front medical lines weighed in with some reassuring words about the likelihood of transmission. Obviously, everybody who had any indication of being sick decided to stay home. And my guess is handshakes and hugs will be minimal, if at all. Hoorah for the SLF.
Yesterday some intrepid South Sound racers tucked reefs into their mains and zoomed around the Islands racecourse in seriously gusty conditions.
I expect as the weather warms this week we’ll see a lot more sails dotting the Pacific Northwest waters.
I make no claim of medical expertise. Obviously, we don’t want to do anything to spread the coronavirus. And we don’t want to get sick ourselves.
However, here is my pitch for us all to go sailing, especially if we have some time on our hands. Boats these days seldom require a large crew. Most cruisers sail with 2-4 people. Even large raceboats have a limited number of people on board. Usually, after sailing, the boat sits for a few days during which the virus will die.
And of course, if you’re single handling even a few feet from shore, well, I can’t imagine a much safer place.
But getting on the water and feeling the wind on your face, the pull of the helm and the tug of the sails filling will raise anyone’s spirit and should convey a feeling of optimism that we all sorely need. I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I’m in despair, a gull’s cry, sea lion’s bark or the smell of saltwater can pull me right out of it.
And for racers, effectively lee-bowing someone or nailing a takedown injects some serious endorphins.
Sailing gets you outside into the fresh air in about as safe (for both you and others) a way as possible. More importantly, it can renew one’s optimism and mental health. We’re lucky, we get to do what we love.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.