SIGHTINGS Building confidence at the helm was the theme of Half Moon Bay YC's Take the Tiller event in late August, the first workshop produced by the club's Women Sailing program. "We wanted to create a program that was different from our adult sailing classes," said founder Peggy Ruse. "We aimed at women who already had some sailing skills so our emphasis could be on creating confidence and command at the tiller," said Marth Huddle, chair of Women Sailing. A high-energy improv session set the tone for the day. Ann Swanberg of LifePlays led team exercises designed to create group flow. In one, attendees took turns tossing imaginary balls back and forth. As more balls were introduced, the game became more challenging. Soon the imaginary balls flying back and forth came with sailing commands. "That really felt like sailing, especially by the time the second or third ball We're havin' fun now! Left to right: Jessie Formoe, facilitator was in the air," said Dawn Chesney, Carol Hoover and Nancy Economopoulos. Christy Harte of Alameda, a member of Treasure Island YC who sails on the Oakland Estuary. "You have the water and the motion of the wind at the same time; your mind is tending to one thing, yet you must not ignore the others." On-the-water action began with launching and docking practice in the club's seven-boat fleet of Cal 20s. It was a collaborative teaching experience. "We decided to have facilitators rather than skippers," Huddle explained, "the goal being to create teams that would teach themselves, rather than have one person in charge." Lunch followed, a great opportunity to learn what motivated the women to attend. "I wanted to gain some independence," said Adrianne Nelson of Half Moon Bay. "When I was a child, my father had a sailboat, but I was more of a passenger than a sailor. I saw this class as a way to be an active participant and eventually skipper." The women-only aspect drew Erica Evans of El Granada, who has returned to sailing after a 30-year absence. "I thought it would be nice to do a class with just women. I feel it's a more supportive learning environment," she said. Laura McGee, the wife of HMBYC's rear commodore, wanted to build confidence, internalize terminology, and practice crew-overboard skills. The afternoon brought three on-the-water challenges. In Zen Sailing, the women took turns helming blindfolded to better utilize feedback from all their senses. "I loved the Zen Sailing," said Rea Inglesis of San Francisco, who sails with Modern Sailing in Sausalito. "You get a real feel for the wind and the sails. You have to trust the physical knowledge you have — and your crewmates." Kathleen Hartman agreed. "Your body takes the lead instead of over-thinking or overintellectualizing. It's body, boat and wind." Crew-overboard practice followed, then a 'Tie the Knot' exercise. Participants made a 360° circle around an anchored boat by only tacking or jibing. Three races finished the on-the-water experience, helping to reinforce knowledge of right-of-way rules and improve technique. Lori Rhodes of El Granada, one of the facilitators, said, "The two women on my boat really got into the racing and were surprised how fun it was. I love racing because you have to be 'prescontinued on outside column of next sightings page Page 66 •
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the coast guard's During a recent interview, we asked a Coast Guard rescue pilot how often mariners who've been rescued return to a Search and Rescue (SAR) base to personally thank their saviors. "Almost never," he said. Yet he wasn't the least bit bitter about it. Risking their lives to save others is all in a day's work for Coast Guardsmen, especially here in the Bay Area. In fact, CG Station Golden Gate responds to more on-the-water emergencies than any other base in the nation — and, unfortunately their efforts go largely unnoticed by the public that they serve. That's why a newly formed group called Yacht Clubs Who Care has organized a
BOTH PHOTOS KARA HUGGLESTONE
KARA HUGGLESTONE
women on the water