Learning from My Crew (I Call Him Dad)

Sailing at this weekend’s Snipe State Championship in St. Petersburg, Florida was such as amazing learning experience. Competing along side the all-stars of the Snipe world such as Peter Commette, Ernesto Rodriguez, and Augie Diaz helped me visualize how to work around the race course and become a better sailor.

My dad/tactician also talk to me about how the boat works and guided me through the race. By maintaining boat speed and following his directions, my dad and I managed to stay just a step behind some of the top sailors in the world. As hard as I try to not admit it, my dad is one of those top sailors too.

Besides the learning aspect of Saturday’s races, on Sunday it was nice to just sit around in the shade of the sailing center cracking jokes, talking tactics, and telling stories. That’s probably the best quality of the Snipe class: a sense of family. Everyone looks out for each other and there’s a particular sense of camaraderie that really makes you feel at home.

Looking back on it now, it didn’t even feel like a real regatta. It just seemed like a bunch of good friends coming together to putz around and make it look like we know what we’re doing.

Read Alan Capellin’s report, Dad Will You Crew for Me?