Commodore’s Log Book

By Don Bedford, SCIRA Commodore. Summer is just getting started here in North America. Longer and warmer days mean more time outside with friends and family. While I do find myself spending a decent amount of time with SCIRA duties, it is sailing my Snipe that keeps me tied to the class.

Commodore’s Log Book Image

By Don Bedford, SCIRA Commodore.

Summer is just getting started here in North America. Longer and warmer days mean more time outside with friends and family. While I do find myself spending a decent amount of time with SCIRA duties, it is sailing my Snipe that keeps me tied to the class.

There are many regattas lined up here in the US and I’m sure in your country too. We just complete a regatta named for Herb Shear, the builder of Chubasco Snipes and who really kicked start our local fleet in the 1960’s. We had a good turn-out and a huge amount of fun. The real heroes that weekend were those who organized the regatta and ran the races. If you have not taken on the duty to do this for your local fleet, a good way to start is to volunteer as a helper for a while until you comfortable with the process. You’ll find that your sailing experience will take you a long way if you continue to think about the sailors and not getting your race committee boat back to the dock early.

Another great opportunity is the traveling regatta and we have plenty! I grew up driving to regattas with my family all over the US and these are now wonderful memories and the start of some great friendships. I encourage you to take a road-trip, even to the next neighboring fleet, and try sailing with a new group of people and a new venue. Or, if you are up for a real treat, try arranging for a regatta in another country! I’ve been very fortunate to have sailed outside my country and I can say the best part was meeting the people of other fleets and enjoying their hospitality and their country. This also gives you a bit different perspective of the class and you’ll see that we truly are international and have many different perspectives on sailing, fleet building and so on.

So, I hope you can get plenty of sailing days in while the weather is nice and I hope to see you on the water!

-don

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