sandpoint of view
IT’S A PIRATE’S life PIRATE DAN (RIGHT) SOMETIMES APPEARS NEAR THE BEACH IN SANDPOINT TO THE DELIGHT OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS ALIKE. PHOTOS BY LAURIE HUSTON.
by Pam Webb
I
t's true. Piracy exists on Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint’s watery gem. However, this particular pirate is a treasure and not a threat. A local celebrity, pirate captain Dan Mimmack hauls out the Wind Spirit from June through August at Sandpoint’s City Beach, providing excursions for children, and has done so for the last 12 years. A wood craftsman, and the original owner of Northwest Handmade, Pirate Dan looks forward to summer when he runs out his sails with a captive audience of children (along with their accompanying adult chaperones) to sail up the billowing blue waters of Sand Creek. As someone who loves boats, finding a handcrafted pirate ship for sale definitely shivered Mimmack's timbers. A sailor since his teenage years, he knew he had to purchase the boat when he spotted a Craigslist ad for the Wind Spirit. “I think he was a pirate in a former life,” said Pam Mimmack, his wife of 31 years, who met Dan in Kona, Hawaii when he was working on fishing boats. After traveling to Olympia, Washington, Mimmack brought home the ship and began the long process of restoration. The ship was originally painted white and needed a lot of TLC. Mimmack’s woodworking skills availed him the ability to restore the ship and add modifications to sail under the Cedar
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Street Bridge. He also added a cannon and the trademark plank. “The excursions are Dan’s way of giving back to the community, especially children and adults with special needs who don’t have access to boats,” said Pam. “The first time Dan pulled up at City Beach the kids swarmed the boat and it hasn’t stopped.” Once aboard, Pirate Dan initiates his guests into becoming temporary pirates by handing out eye patches and water cannons to squirt the unsuspecting as they sail up Sand Creek. Other times the Wind Spirit will pull up on the beach and Pirate Dan will pull out a treasure chest and rubber swords for a pirate play session. Although the excursions are child-oriented, adults are also fans, especially grandmothers who gleefully take a turn at the water cannon. Mimmack relishes his role as the Sandpoint Pirate; however, pirates do eventually sail toward retirement and Pirate Dan will be retiring his cutlass and ship after August this year. Future plans for the ship are uncertain, although it’s hoped there is another pirate on the horizon ready to sail the Wind Spirit to carry on the joyous tradition Pirate Dan Mimmack began so long ago. “The ship is available for birthday parties and family experiences,” said Pam. To book, call 208-255-8916.