Dutch Shoe Marathon

I just returned home from the start of the Dutch Shoe Marathon. This one design race is sponsored by San Diego Yacht club and had 283 participants in 4 classes. The Sabot has long been the standard for young sailors and is often considered the hardest to sail. Its bathtub like shape does not lend its self towards forward movement and often is pushed sideways by the wind. This race is challenging for young and old alike.

The racers were nervous this morning. Boat parts were being repaired and new parts purchased. Race instructions into Ziplocs and taped down. The coaches were talking about tides, currents and wind directions. And moms were applying sunscreen and packing snacks. All contributed to the bustle of energy on the docks this morning. The preparations were successful and the participants crossed the start line with ambitious goals. It was quite a site; 200 little boats with white sails moving down the harbor like leaf ants in the jungle.

I’m not sure pictures can convey the energy or massiveness of the start of this race. This first picture is our usually calm open dingy dock currently filled to capacity with sabots, sails, parts, and racers.

And this is the best way I can show the race boats leaving our little harbor going out towards the main channel. With a before and after.

Gah, I must get a new camera. I know this blog is supposed to be part of Debbie’s travels and I shouldn’t have posted this, but I used the first two paragraphs to apply for a job writing about sailing and I just couldn’t go without publishing it someplace. And well, the Dutch Shoe race did go past Debbie’s boat.

What, what’s that I hear? You want to see pictures of my kids again? Well, okay.