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| Thanks to the able work of Grant Matthews, PRO from the BSC, races went off without a hitch— well except for the occasional container ship. |
Boston Sailors Championship takes interclub sailing to a competitive level
One might say Boston is rife with community sailing centers, both public and private. Spanning from Jamaica Pond along the revered Olmsted Greenway to the Charles River Basin, to Boston Harbor. All told at any one time on a mid-summer evening there are no less than 400 sailboats plying Boston’s waterways. In the past the myriad sailing centers have stayed clear of each other with everyone competing for sailing memberships. But in recent years a metamorphosis has taken place. Clubs such as Courageous Sailing in Charlestown and Community Boating on the Charles, recognizing that each club has its unique strengths, have begun to collaborate and cross-pollinate members.
A notable course change in relations among sailing centers has been commencement of the Boston Sailor’s Championship, also known as the Inter-club Regatta (not to be confused with the Interclub dinghy). The BSC, now in it’s second year, is a yearly opportunity for clubs to test their best sailors in vessels that they may not necessarily be familiar or comfortable with. This year the regatta was hosted by the BSC - Boston Sailing Center (funny huh?). Teams from six clubs; MIT, Courageous, Boston Harbor Sailing Club, Cottage Park Yacht Club, and of course, the Boston Sailing Center, and CBI raced in the Sailing Center's fleet of Solings. Unlike last year’s boat, the Rhodes 19, the Soling features multiple rig adjustments which can stymie even the most experienced sailor. But with a bit of time trying out various lines and liberal use of a fresh sharpie, the boat can be mastered and is a joy to sail.
Wade Edwards, Director of the Boston Sailing Center, and his capable staff rose to the challenge, hosting a fun, competitive regatta. Four races were completed in light shifty winds. Afterwards the club hosted barbecue and awards on the top deck of their clubhouse. This racer was especially happy to get home for the second half of the Patriots game (which she mostly snoozed through).
Whichever club decides to host next year's event (hint hint CBI) I expect it will be even bigger and better. I hope more clubs will use this as an example and start their own Inter-club regattas. The benefits of getting clubs together to share resources and spread the wealth of sailing knowledge, whether for a more formal regatta such as the BSC or just some fun sailing, are endless. If you get to know your neighbors you'll have a better neighborhood - that's obvious. And if sailing is to survive clubs like those in Boston need to continue to foster a climate of cooperation.
Want to learn more about the clubs involved in this event? Check out the links below:
On Boston Harbor:
Boston Sailing Center
Boston Harbor Sailing Club
Courageous Sailing Center
On the Charles River:
MIT Sailing Pavilion
Community Boating
Yacht clubs:
Cottage Park yacht Club
Wade Edwards, Director of the Boston Sailing Center, and his capable staff rose to the challenge, hosting a fun, competitive regatta. Four races were completed in light shifty winds. Afterwards the club hosted barbecue and awards on the top deck of their clubhouse. This racer was especially happy to get home for the second half of the Patriots game (which she mostly snoozed through).
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| Winning Team Courageous beaming after placing first for the day. From left: Judith Krimski, Scott Sheffer, and skipper John Murphy. |
Whichever club decides to host next year's event (hint hint CBI) I expect it will be even bigger and better. I hope more clubs will use this as an example and start their own Inter-club regattas. The benefits of getting clubs together to share resources and spread the wealth of sailing knowledge, whether for a more formal regatta such as the BSC or just some fun sailing, are endless. If you get to know your neighbors you'll have a better neighborhood - that's obvious. And if sailing is to survive clubs like those in Boston need to continue to foster a climate of cooperation.
Want to learn more about the clubs involved in this event? Check out the links below:
On Boston Harbor:
Boston Sailing Center
Boston Harbor Sailing Club
Courageous Sailing Center
On the Charles River:
MIT Sailing Pavilion
Community Boating
Yacht clubs:
Cottage Park yacht Club
