I'm going to have to concede that I don't like sailing for the sake of sailing. I haven't wanted to admit that. It's come to me that the logistics are such that it's not worth it to me to go out on the water without the lure of a race.
If I could dial 1-800 how-am-I-sailing from my cell phone, maybe that would make a difference. But without other boats being out there, sailing the same course, I don't really know how I'm doing. And I need that. I need that competitive event. I need that company of boats. Their presence some how validates my efforts and measures my performance.
Otherwise, it's just too much effort. Too much logistics.
If I could dial 1-800 how-am-I-sailing from my cell phone, maybe that would make a difference. But without other boats being out there, sailing the same course, I don't really know how I'm doing. And I need that. I need that competitive event. I need that company of boats. Their presence some how validates my efforts and measures my performance.
Otherwise, it's just too much effort. Too much logistics.
The last time, in a long time, I went out for a day sail was halloween. And that was just to try out a new crew. Not very satisfying to be out on the water. However, I did discover & recruit good crew.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people are like you in this respect.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost the opposite. I get more pleasure of sailing on my own these days than I do from racing.
Sailing my Laser on my own is like playing my guitar on my own (and I never play my guitar in public these days.) There is the same satisfaction from quietly and persistently working at eliminating errors and perfecting my style until it sounds (feels in the case of sailing) just right. I know when I'm sailing the boat flat. I know when I'm catching waves downwind. I know when I do a nice smooth tack and accelerate well out of it. I know when I do a gybe without going off the plane for more than a fraction of a second.
You are right in that I don't really know if I would be beating any given sailor in a race but I don't care so much about that these days. I just care about sailing the boat well.
I think it might have to do somewhat with single-handling. Back in the day, I often took my Laser out for a mid-day sail, even taking a sick day off when I knew the wind would be up. If I were physically up to single-handing my current 30 footer, I might feel differently. Something about being sua sponte (a favored boat name that runs in the family).
DeleteSua sponte. Hmmm! That would make a good title for a blog post!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't paint it on your laser without a "III" after it!
DeleteLike, wow! So you feel that your worth as a sailor is only valid in relation to others? Can you not see that you are worthy of love and respect just as you are, alone, regardless of comparison? Why should our self value be based on what others perceive us to be? Rather, you should enjoy sailing from your own perspective and evaluate your self from the same. Embrace others and yourself without judging, without comparing. Love the doing. Joy is found in your own heart, not in this race or that.
ReplyDelete