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Around the World of Sailing

19 June 2002

Finish Line

Defending champions Matt Struble and Dominique Martin (Bay
City, MI) won the Alter Cup as this year's U.S. Multihull
Champions. Their victory margin was 7 points with no score
lower than 3rd.

Water Level Update

Weekly Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/oc/1024/frw.htm

Below you'll find water level info that pertains
to Lake Michigan and Huron.
For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html

Difference from Chart Datum +11
Difference from last month +4
Difference from last year +9
Difference from long term average for June -12
Difference from Record High -41
Difference from Record Low +21
Forecast for 14 July 2002 +2

Complete Great Lakes Water Level info at:
http://www.torresen.com/weather/weather/water_level/

Rowing Reporter

The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary and
observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of
Sailing, Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
****************
 Finding my Sailing Niche

Sailing is an activity with many varieties and nuances.
There's not just one type or mode of sailing. There are
intense short course races in one-design boats, punishing
offshore racing, daysails on sunny days, fall sails with a
different color shore etc.

Sailing World Magazine recently celebrated it's 40th
anniversary. For a special issue they essentially asked
sailors why they race. Answers such as competition,
complexity, ability testing and camaraderie were put
forward.

At this point I'll interject two things. One, figures show
that the sail racing population is somewhere around 10%
meaning the above may not apply to most sailors. Second,
although I have been in the past, I can presently declare
myself not a racing sailor.

I had weighed reasons and feeling and decided that in 2002 I
would not compete in any sailing races. At first just this
negative choice seemed sufficient.

Then I saw sailing and racing begin. My comfort level
decreased. From the top of my mind sailing memories abound.
My mind contains stories, my self esteem achievement, my
house trophies and awards from racing. As I began to shed
my racing sailor identity I got uneasy. Sailing season had
begun and it's peculiar cycle was making me both aware and
uneasy.

I was still interested and passionate about sailing. Yet I
felt adrift, without racing what was it all about? What was
the point? Without racing what to prepare to peak for?

Racing sailor was no longer my niche. My undecided yet
clear yearning for sailing needed a direction.

Then I lined up a delivery job of the kind I periodically
perform. A customer's boat needed to go to it's new home of
Chicago. From Muskegon this slide down the lake is a full
day sail.

I made the voyage earlier this week. It was not a rapid
voyage, but uneventful and successful. I check my log- 5.5
miles this hour, 5.4, 4.8 from 1530 to 1630 a new low. No
sailing speed records on this voyage. It may not be the
slowest trip to Chicago, but I'm in the team picture of the
slowest trips.

Of course this gave me much time for contemplation. My mind
went to Chicago's days as an age of sail port. For schooner
sailors faced with the fitful winds I had there was no
auxiliary to speed things up!

I wasn't concerned about speed, or the boat that just tacked
on our weather hip. I was not racing, but I had some
compensating aspects to make up for the intensity of racing.
I've come to do many deliveries alone as a solo venture.
Here I was in the middle of Lake Michigan, no land in sight.
Just me and my thoughts.

My mind drifted. Maybe I could just anchor some type of
house boat out here. Talk about the ultimate retreat- get
away! If you need a contemplative space I recommend heading
10 to 15 miles offshore in Lake Michigan and dropping a
hook- unsurpassed in solitude and beauty!

I saw only two boats all day. That was early in the morning
and I recognized them as racing boats returning from the
NOOD regatta. That part of racing might still be in my
future- the pre or post race delivery.

It was sunny although not overly warm. If you wanted a sun
tan it was yours! Maybe I should have shipped some sun
worshipping passengers. This tanning cruise would have to be
more enjoyable than a tanning bed in a building!

I eventually ended up with a losing race against the sun
into Chicago harbor, after a pre dawn start. A Chicago land
fall is not that dramatic. The skyline showed while still
30 miles out!

A job had been completed. Probably a more unique job than
most, one I am exceptionally comfortable with. Much
different than my normal job much of which is spent typing
in front of a glowing screen.

As I traveled home I thought back to the book 'My Old Man
and the Sea'. I had read it years ago and remembered a
quote that had distilled the essence of what I had just
done. Despite repeated efforts I couldn't find the actual
words, so I paraphrase. There is nothing like being given
the responsibility of sailing a boat between two points. The
feeling of achievement upon reaching port can't be surpassed.

My voyage (def= travel other than by land) had illuminated
my sailing niche I am no longer a racer. Nor do I jones to
go out and sail on a sunny day. What I like to do is get
aboard a boat and travel from one point to another which
means I will leave open to option of some of the true
offshore races.

This new identity isn't as a cruiser as I don't make stops
just for the sake of it. What I've tended towards enjoying
is delivering, to take and hand over, the boats of others.
Sometimes the boats are special or interesting other times
not.

What interests and grabs my current sailing persona's
attention is the act of travelling by water. I like to make
trips that have goodly distance of water separating two
points.

As a sailor, this is now who I am and what I do. The days
of carrying a tiny sea bag to minimize the weight of gear
are over. I can stuff a sea bag with gear and have no
worries, answering mainly to myself. I can expect to move
slower, yet hopefully generate more stories and memories
about future voyages.

For those current sailors who maybe experiencing
disenchantment my message is this: like with a lot of
things there is not one answer. There's nuance involved. If
your present sailing experiences aren't fulfilling look
around there should be one that is.

Since I've discussed my personal sailing evolution I'd be
interested in those of others. Write and tell me and Rowing
Reporter readers what your niche in sailing is.
******************
Rowing Reporter Interactive- Bringing people together,
passing messages and answering questions. The Rowing
reporter seeks comments, questions and suggestions.
Send email to ike@torresen.com.