Remembering BBR 2008

Something For Everyone: Buzzards Bay Regatta 2008
By: Jennifer Langille

Not all sailing is for everyone, but within the broad umbrella of sailing there is honestly something for every person who enjoys the water. The history of American Sailing suggest an exclusive, elite sport. This still very much the case in current times with a twist. Today’s sailors want to share the sport with family, friends and the random person waiting in line for a Power Boater magazine.

So how do sailors share the activity? How does one convince someone into a day on the water where they may get wet, the ride will tip a little, can not really give a time of arrival and destination to be determined while under way. Or, better yet, convince them to do all the above while sailing around buoys, never really going anywhere.

For a seasoned sailor-racer, it’s easy, quite appealing and takes little convincing. One gets on just about any boat and seems to magically know what to do. This is not the case for the newbie and frankly, from beginners eyes, quite intimidating. They see and think: tippy boat, macramé of lines, odd shaped things bolted to the deck in some sort of a pattern. Where’s the motor? Sails? Seriously, from there vantage the dock and power boat on the other pier, more inviting. It’s straight forward: step on board, turn the key and go. (To read the full article...)