Nearing the close of another sailing season…

Wow here we are and in two weeks I will have closed another sailing season. Now that we have the J122 we have had to step up our game tremendously. I must say that the transition from a Symmetrical kite to an Asymmetrical kite has not been the easiest transition. I will say that the A kite is much easier to gybe etc, but the immense size has created some interesting situations during takedowns and high wind maneuvers. Not to mention that I have had to train a protégé to take my place on the pointy end so that I can migrate back to the cockpit to take on the challenge of flying the kite.

Although I routinely get called (or sent) forward for nasty takedowns, scary transitions between reaching and running kites, shrimping and other not so fun bow parties. I am not disappointed although we didn't rack up a lot of bullets and first places. Even though I am very competitive I am ok with starting off with small beginnings. Although a J122 is hardly a small beginning. Last Saturday we went out in 5-8 and ended up racing in 10-18 and during the damage ripped 3 sails, pulled up enough shrimp for a boil and threw in a few almost broaches just for fun!

I am grateful for a crew that doesn't panic or ever yell LOL I will say that we don't have much time for Rum anymore which makes me quite sad. I am looking forward to a winter to recover and train so that next year we can begin our systematic destruction of our competition so that we can begin our campaign offshore. And I also hope that we quit breaking things so that our skipper and syndicate head can afford to take us campaigning.

I have come to the conclusion that sailing even under desperate conditions is nothing compared to the fear in my day to day job, so I for one am ready to turn in my pink slip and head off to sea! So much to learn in such a short time. I am looking to meeting our next sailing mentor!

Pirate Mike…

 

Sailing Pirate Style

You know the summer is an interesting sailing time for me. For one the first half of my racing season is over. Now I sail for fun and on my own lake. July is an interesting time of hot nights and even hotter days, when the water temperature of the lake is hotter than an average bath. This 4^th of July was no different. My girlfriend and I headed out to celebrate the 3 day holiday with good food and drink.

Last year I found myself sailing in very strong winds in an all but blacked out night. This year I was sailing again late at night but for a completely different reason. The typical type of 4^th, boat all dressed up, loaded with a month's worth of provisions of food and grog. My flags were flying happily in the medium breeze coming out of out the south. This year I got my anchor down early and proceeded to drink and eat till the sun dropped and we all watched the fireworks from about 10 neighboring cities. Just before night fall almost everyone left this year, which I am still not sure why. Maybe they knew of the impending doom, or maybe they just wanted to run over to 121 and get hassled by police, blood tested and try to fight for enough room to watch their fireworks.

We watched the fireworks and decided that it was time to get some sleep. It had been a long day and some sleep was well deserved. 80+ degrees and the cabin's air was muggy. It was hard to get to sleep but we did manage to do it. At about 1:00am I woke up to yelling and the sound of wind. Moving quickly topsides I noticed a ground of banded together stink pots (power boats) all floating towards the shore. They were frantically trying to untie each other to their impending doom. I looked around very disoriented and still half drunk. I noticed that I was very close to shore and was quickly trying to figure out my original location and if it was 180 feet from where I was now. I had gone to sleep with 90 foot of scope with a southerly wind of roughly 10 knots. Now I am quickly waking up to a consistent 20 gusting to 40 knots and it is building. What started out a nice cool breeze from the North has now become a lightning and thunder storm of severe magnitude.

I still a bit dazed came to the conclusion I was dragging that I was much farther than 180 feet from where I started. Going to the bow to look at my anchor line I noticed that the line ran under the boat but yet I was pointing into the wind bow first. I looked twice as I have never heard of anchor rode getting wrapped around the keel or worse yet the rudder post? The wheel turned freely so it didn't seem like it was around the rudder. The winds were too strong to pull against the line but I knew that if I didn't do anything that I would eventually drag myself to the shore and I was already in 10 feet of water from the 17 that I started in. Soon I would be high centered and helpless as the waves had their way with me.

Several miles of fetch had allowed for the rollers to become quite substantial considering this is a small lake and one doesn't encounter too rough of water figuratively speaking. I drove the boat forward to release the anchor and tried to pull it up only to get to the beginning of the chain. It had become hung on something (keel maybe) I could not remember how long the chain was and was worried that I had 10+ feel dangling down with a 35lb delta ready to catch on something.

Getting the boat into deeper water I figured that I could do nothing in the current situation and could not risk staying on the lake too much longer as the violent storm came down on me. From a light breeze to a consistent 40 knots I knew that doing nothing was not an option at this point. I got my extra anchor out in case I did get hung and needed to secure the boat and put on my life vest. Sailing toward the cut all I could think about was what I would do if the anchor caught on something and brought the boat around broadside to the rollers. I just kept sailing. Looking for the cut into the main body of the lake I looked around trying to get my bearings and keep calm.

Approaching the cut nothing looked right the stink pots had made a quick vanishing act and nothing was visible but the shinning darkness that glistened on the tops of the rollers as they broke upon the bow and flooded the decks with water over and over again. Seeing two sticks I was worried that I was approaching Bird Island. But that couldn't be the island wasn't near the cut this was the cut wasn't it? Or is this the damn and I am looking over it? But they are moving, or is it me that is moving. Ah 2 little sailboats heading for cover in a cove with a land mass between them and the onslaught of winds.

I made it through the cut all the time thinking about the contours of the lake trying to stay in the channel. I could not risk snagging anything. I kept worrying about the anchor dragging but didn't know what I could do in the middle of a storm. I just kept sailing. Turning down wind I saved some of the pitching and rolling and just surfed my way down the lake. Never finding the day poles I was more concerned. Missing my normal marks now gave me a sense that I really didn't know my exact position within the lake which made me even more nervous. Maybe I was sailing in the middle of the forest that lies underneath a large portion of the lake. Sure death as I would be sure to catch one of the trees that lie just beneath the surface and cause myself even more trouble.

As I got closer to the Lewisville Dam and the control house I began to calm down a bit as I knew if I got close enough I could look to the right and see a direct path to the marina. Sailing as close to the center and staying away from the 2 low spots between the park and the ramp across the lake were the only areas that I had to concern myself with. Approaching the marina I started to worry that I would surely catch one of the lines that secure the tires around the marina.

Slowly I made my way into the marina and docked the boat into the slip with a hideous cross wind. The slip has a steal bar that runs across it about 6 feet deep just under my keel. I heard the anchor hit it as we entered the slip. I got the boat secured and walked around the marina for 20 minutes to calm down now that the entire ordeal was over. After a good night's sleep I woke up the next morning to diving under the boat and trying to figure out how to get the anchor back into the boat where it belongs. Apparently the fluke had caught the swept back formation of the keel and really it was quite simple to apprehend the anchor and get it back aboard. Another point worth noting is the chain was not long enough to hang below very far once I could see it coming out of the water so really I probably was in no danger once I tied off the anchor rope to the cleat to get home.

Hind sight being 20/20 I should have put out more scope and paid more attention before retiring to sleep. Even better having an anchor alarm set to wake me up when the winds shifted so quickly would have helped so that I could have known about the line going under the boat before the storm hit. Also looking at the weather report before retiring would have told me that the storm WAS coming and I could have made a decision to stay or head back to the slip before any of the commotion.

Lesson learned…

The Shimmering Darkness

This was written last year after an emotionally charged day. Realizing that it has been almost exactly a year I felt that it was appropriate to post this. Some will find it boring and some will find it part of the fabric of Pirate Mike.

The day was finally over, the sun had settled down within the depths of the lake.


The sun had put up quite a fight and left the land bleached and dry.


The lake goers had been drained as they filled the lake with the sentiment of their desires.


As the rebels quieted down, and the crowd parted a new set of sounds took over the area.


The moon arose quickly and settled in about a third of the way into the sky.


Only a sliver its presence was quite diluted as the clouds rolled into place and the stage was being set.


It was the day after the great and terrible day and vengeance was about to take its toll.


The temperatures subsided and the winds once again found the body of water that they call home.


The emergency vehicles had gone home no saving was to be done tonight.


Damage already done the mind wanders, tensions are running high.


Mind drunk with emotion, body full of pain, the potential for quite an evening is building.


As I lay aside the cockpit I looked up and realized that my destiny had called me.


The winds calling my name I could hear them saying, "follow me to the next place."


Obedient and methodical I woke up from my emotional stupor, and took on the responsibility to prepare the vessel.


At the strike of 1:00 am I set sail. Pulling the sun drenched and warmed sails I spoke to them commanding; "take me to the place that the winds are calling from."


With that I leave the cockpit and go down below into the dungeon that I call home.


Frantically digging into the darkness, feeling for a remote audio cd that still brandished its wrapper and label I hope for my release.


As I open the unique promise, I place it into my player and emerge to survey my situation.


Black as night, both lovely and unlovely I find myself echo locating the shoreline.


The winds have taken their position on the lake and made themselves prominent across the lakescape.


Then out of the blackness I see a shimmering darkness.


Heading to weather the wind positioning itself to whisper in my left ear I hold still.


As the wind picked up, the water responded in kind with a motion that took it across the lake.


Rollers they were building from the South as I headed to find the source of the wind.


Just a glimpse of their size as the moon varnished their topsides with a glow that could be seen for miles.


As the motion of the lake took a hold of me, the sound of a distant land came to the forefront.


Sharp and pleasant sounds of a simple land on the continent of Africa filled my head as I squinted to keep track of the shore.


I transported myself as the music took my soul from this ragged body and the emotions that once filled it left.


Waves crashing into the bow and it planted itself firmly into its belly. Spray fills the air as the sounds of the life that is such the beginning of all.


As the tribesmen chant their stories of family and survival, I find myself on the roller coaster of life deep within my heart as it sets happily in my chest, far from the sleeve that it once found a perch.


Whispering in my ear I can hear the wind calling me deeper into an almost trance like state.


Into the shimmering darkness I see the water and land dancing before me, leaving a path that only I can feel.


Song after song, I feel my body coming alive. My senses are overwhelmed and the thoughts of the day are far from me. Now the music takes hold and my hand holds the destiny of the vessel.


Between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand I steer this 6 ton beast. Waves crashing and spraying mist into the air, my mind races ahead in anticipation of what lies next.


Sitting in the port side stern perch, head cocked gently to the side, I try to make out the dam and the source of the wind.


Never admitting but gently remembering that it has called for me before.


An elusive friend the wind befriends the water and makes a pact with my vessel.


Completely in sync with nature as the music recharges my soul.


Now the age of completeness comes as I turn the corner to see the light of my home port.


In the shimmering darkness there I find my peace again.


For in the heat of the day, emotions ran free and the damage of their energy has taken its toll.


But now in the perfectness of the moment my soul is again whole, my mind is at ease and my body is free from pain.


Just arriving to my place, I reposition my home and engage the moon to hide me from the shimmering darkness.


.. ..


.. ..


July 5th – 6th 2008, on Lewisville Lake, listening to the original Mbube music of Africa while participating in the dance of a lifetime, after an event of emotional magnitude.....


.. ..


"Fair weather does not a skilled sailor make. Even the brightest of skippers must navigate through the storms of life to emerge on the other side, sometimes with nothing to guide them but the shimmering darkness of their soul." – Pirate Mike…....

Working above the deck…

Many tasks on a boat become chores as everything on a boat is compact and neatly hidden away so to maximize the use of space. Even the simplest of tasks can become quite an adventure with a bit of wind or wave action. This is quite exaggerated when you are working 20-50 feet above the deck. Mast climbing is an art that most sailors would rather someone else master. I myself always forget how much I hate it until I get about 10 feet off of the deck then I remember that I really did not want to do this.

Today I went up my mast just to the spreaders to install a block for a flag halyard. This seems like such a simple task but it turned out to be quite a job. I was going to just use stainless screws but was reminded that the spreaders are aluminum and that the use of dissimilar metals would cause problems. So the new answer become rivets. Now I had to borrow a rivet gun and rivets and learn a whole new skill set prior to going up the mast. Heavy cordless power tools are even more a problem when swinging between the rigging.

I have not spent much time working off of the deck so I was grossly unprepared for the task at hand. I needed leashes on the tools that I did not have so I was constantly worried about dropping tools to the deck or worse yet on the sailor that was holding my life in his hands. And the casual rouge powerboat that forgets that it is the law to follow "no wake" signs. In Texas you are lawfully responsible for your wake, but I think that most power boaters on a lake no as much about boating as a plumber knows about brain surgery. I am always amazed at the lack of consideration that boaters give each other on North Texas lakes.

I did actually get the pilot holes drilled and in fact put two rivets in to hold the bracket that keeps the new Harken block captive. Now I just need to put one on the starboard side and run the lines and I will be ready to go. The thing that made it even more of a chore is that my Beneteau 331 has no extra halyard so I have to drop the jib to have a line to go up on. The 331 is rigged with the jib halyard on the starboard side of the mast with the line in a cam cleat. To use the halyard you have to undo a line like the out haul or in mast furling line to run the jib halyard through a block and down to the winch.

When I got up and finished my work, my helper tried to let me down to find out that the line had fouled. Fortunately the line had just found the cam cleat and had secured itself. I was down on the deck in no time. In the heat of the afternoon when the temp is at least 95 degrees and you are 30 feet over the deck and water working power tools over your head and trying to hold on to everything for your life it can be quite a draining experience.

I still have one more to mount; I am not looking forward to doing it again.

 

Pirate Mike

"Living on land for a sailor is like a fish taking residence in a lighthouse. Neither is very happy in short order. Just being close to the water is not good enough." – Pirate Mike

People of the Bow! – A word from the Bowman’s Union

Yes the Pointy End People have their own PEEPS! And we are unionized! The men and women of the bow must unite and come together. You can find this writing at the following web address:

http://www.bowmansunion.com/2002_web/html/2002_People_of_the_Bow.htm

This is not one of my writings but I loved it so much I thought that you might enjoy it and these guys need all the support they can get!

People of the Bow

Many of us started our sailing carriers on a small boat in a one design dinghy class, but as we grow up we soon want to move to something bigger. It is a common practice for young people coming from junior sailing clubs to start on the bow as their first position on a keelboat (I don't know why). Although it is not an easy task to do the bow on a Laser, for many of us the transition to keel boats does not come easy.


The bowmansunion.com introductory self-examination for beginning bowmen.

So you want to be a Bowman? Or Bow woman ?
Maybe you're tired of being an under appreciated grinder. Or you have finally shed that extra 20 pounds and feel it's time to redeem yourself on the pointy end. Well here is a short test to get you going in the right direction and help you to see if you have what it takes to become a bowman.

First of all, to be a good bowman, you must have a high tolerance for pain under many adverse conditions. Dealing with pain and continuing to perform the duties of the bow is paramount to being successful in this position. Seeing if you have what it takes is simple, just follow these few steps.

1. To make things realistic, start a cold shower and get in. I recommend wearing your foul weather gear, but that's up to you.
2. Spin around about ten times or so, just enough to make it seem like the shower is "heeled over".
3. Now, with a medium sized frying pan, give yourself a good whack on the top of the head while yelling "MADE!"
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 every five minutes or until you black out.

SEE FIG. 1

If you made it through this exercise at least five times without losing consciousness or ending up in the emergency room, then congratulations, you are ready for the next level. If you didn't, then you'd better stay behind the mast you wimp!
OK, as soon as the swelling goes down it is time to see if you have the brains to be on the bow. The bow is a very mentally challenging position. This exercise will give you a good idea if you have what it takes.

To test your problem solving skills, go to your local toy store and buy a Rubicks Cube, you might already have one lurking around your basement from the mid '80s. Once you have found one, follow these short steps to see if you are sharp enough for the front of the boat, or if you are destined to turn a winch for the rest of your days.
1. Take your "Cube" into a completely dark room or closet, or if you are at work, a blind fold will do just fine.
2 . Have a buddy time you at solving the puzzle, and since you will experience lots of distractions on the foredeck, have your buddy smack you on the face repeatedly while you complete this task (quit whining, do you want to be a bowman or not ? ) .

See FIG . 2

If you were able to solve the puzzle in less than 3 minutes then you probably already have Dennis Connor on speed dial. Under 5 and you probably wear your harness to work under your business suit. Anything under 10 and you have what it takes but you need a little more practice. If it took you 10 minutes or more, well, let’s just say there is always a future as a tactician.
Our next exercise is one of mental toughness, to see if you have the "clock weights", if you will, to persevere through the torment and ridicule that will surely come from the other crewmembers aboard.

This is our final test, so good luck.

1. For five days you are not allowed to speak to anyone, not your roommate, spouse, siblings, parents, kids, friends, boss, coworkers, NO ONE.
2 . You are only allowed to verbally communicate in the form of yelling and screaming. This includes phone conversations.
3 . Be sure to include as much profanity in each sentence as possible.

So for an example, if your boss asks for an over due report. Instead of saying "I will have it for you right away sir." You could say "I WILL HAVE THE #&*$@% REPORT FOR YOU AS SOON AS IT IS @*&%#@ DONE, %&#$ FACE!" Of course you can insert your own profanity where you see fit .

Once you have completed this exercise you should have a good idea of what it is like to be on the bow of a high performance racing sailboat. The faces people have given you and the obscene hand gestures you have received during this last five days are very similar to the ones you will receive in your new position on the bow. However, if you made it through this exercise and you are still married, your friends still call you or talk to you, and you still have a job, then you didn't try hard enough. You will undoubtedly fold under the pressure of this demanding position, in other words you are a wuss. Don't feel too bad though, not everyone is cut out for this life. It is lonely world up there; some sailors just can't handle the stress and separation. Just be thankful that you took this exam, think of all the pain and ridicule you have saved yourself.

If you passed all three tests, then congratulations. Once the bandages come off and you have begged your boss for your job back, the next step is to get your name on your local crew list as an "Aspiring Bowman". Be sure to mention that you have passed the "bowmansunion.com introductory self-examination for beginning bowmen". Bring along the Rubicks Cube and a blindfold to any interviews with skippers and you are sure to have a fast ride on the bow of your choice .

Good Luck

Living, Sailing, Racing & Sharing Moments in less than 300 square feet of space.

One thing about me that people seem to always find amazing is that I find enough room to live on my sailboat. Not only do I survive I thrive in my little enclosed palace. Coming from growing up in a 8000+ square foot home at the base of the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington to living in Lake Dallas in a 3500 square foot home to now living aboard on a 34 foot coastal cruiser. Not just for a weekend, or a week but now almost for 2 years. And no, I cannot get by with 3 pairs of shorts and a few T shirts. With a "walk in" closet on the dock and 3 dock boxes, well and a 10x15 storage unit "Sail Loft" I seem to manage maintaining my "Dallas Lifestyle."

With a Length over all of 33'11" and a Beam of 11'4" Libertà Dolce's maximum square footage (if the boat was a perfect rectangle) would be around 363 square feet and I bet by the time you carve everything out you are much closer to 250 square feet and I think I may be being generous. Living on my boat I typically don't have more than 4 people aboard, and normally only one other person. I have become quite accustomed to brushing by someone to grab something or finding an unoccupied "corner" to sit and think. Boat living is very intimate as you are rarely ever more than 5 feet from someone. This can be a lot of fun and can pose some interesting problems and interesting social interactions.

Does anyone know the math? I was not good with calculus and do not have anyone around that could calculate it for me and I would be curious what the exact square footage of the Beneteau Oceanus 331 really is. Even if it is only a good approximate!

I crew on a J122 for Second Star Racing Hull #74. That boat has a bit more room but I don't live alone there I share the boat with 8-10 others so many times it is difficult to carve out enough room to lay down stretched completely out. I think most think that they would get claustrophobic but in reality most people find that they adjust to the "lack of space." This can take some time and there may be a few clashes before everyone works things out but typically people do adjust to their new found surroundings after the initial shock is over. One thing you have to remember in confined spaces is that everyone needs "their own space."

"Susan in a sea of spinnaker"

So as the boat fills up with gear, sails, provisions, etc usually there is not much room left for anything else – The Crew! Everyone jockeys for staterooms, couch space, deck space etc and use every form of seniority imaginable, from ownership, sponsorship, tenure, position, ranking, work completed in a day, best tactical input, best salvation move etc. But at the end of the day as long as you can lean over on something or someone you will find a place to sleep. Many times I have been found on the deck with my arm wrapped around a stanchion or lifeline passed out during the middle of a shift waiting for "next orders." Bowman/Foredeck seem to work in quick sprints, as our boat gets faster the time between work calls is shorter and shorter. The new J122 seems to offer no rest for the wicked and I now seem to almost be "constantly moving."

We are just barely getting the new J122 broke in but we are adapting to the new space quite well. Coming from a Beneteau 33.7 there is a lot more room to work and live. Funny enough the bigger boat also has bigger sails and when sailing an asymmetrical spinnaker the sail sizes get astronomical. Just packing our "Big Cute" can become quite a task all by itself especially when it is nasty outside and everything is wet. This weekend was no different. We went out on our 2 hour sail to reach the "battle ground," and watched the rain bring with them the storms. By the time we had gotten the first race underway the lightning came had noticed the Lima flag and decided to "come within hail." After seeing several sky to water strikes the boat closest to the lightning (at the weather mark) lol decided to pressure the race committee in abandoning the racing. Of course we were within striking distance of the leader a Farr 39 that was trying to make tracks in the awkward weather.

We did sail back to our marina (2 hours away) and make it back for the best part of the rain storm (downpour) and then after the boat was secure inside the slip everyone found their way down below. This was one of our first attempts to cope in the new boat. Wet, tired and a bit battered we all found a place to sit. Short crewed (6) we had luxury space to hang out and drip dry. After the rain subsided a bit we all went topside to put the sails away and pack her up for another day.

We did not get our chance to do battle but we did get a few brief hours to learn more about our new bride. Like a bride we are still in the honeymoon trying to figure out what to expect. Over the next year or two we are surely to see all sides of her. So far all we have seen is high winds, wet weather and lightning. We look forward to a few good races in moderate winds and to fill our crew rosters back to their capacity so that we can get Second Star to where she needs to be – First Place!

Pirate Mike, aka Bowman Brooks

2009 Lakefest Regatta

(2009 Second Star Racing team consisted of: JD Hill, Susan Hill, Ben Gray, John Kleineberg, Michael (Pirate Mike) Brooks, Angela Haar, Harald TenWolde, Scott Spurlin)

I am writing the chronicles of another great adventure. Texoma Lakefest (website) a long standing tradition in North Texas has been recognized as the largest inland charity sailing regatta in the nation. 2009 was no different and a tremendous amount of effort was put in by the races sponsoring yachtclub the Texoma Sailing Club (website)! 47 boats and close to 300+ competitors came to battle it out on one of Texas' biggest lakes. Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, the 12th largest Corps of Engineers (USACE) Lake, and the largest in USACE Tulsa District. ¹

4 days of fund raising for a great charity; the Make A Wish Foundation (website). Thursday is the Chaos Cup where the corporate sponsors get to try their hand at sailboat racing! Teams are sent out to have a great time and get a chance to meet the sailors that will for the next 3 days battle it out with the famous North Texas weather and the top rated competitors that come from around the nation to try their hand at getting their name engraved on the ever sought after silver cup. Thursday had overcast but fair weather as we saw great sailing from the cast of competitors. Almost event free Thursday did bring about one casualty when 2008 3^rd place competitor Nelda Ray snapped their mast to end their campaign for the silver cup.

From first time newbie's to Amercia's Cup sailors Texoma Lakefest brings them all together in the spirit of competition and love of the sport. Friday is the first day of competition and typically is full of emotion and excitement as the boats get launched and the competitors look over the scratch sheets to see whom they will be battling it out with. This year Friday brought lightning storms and while we all went out to the battle ground not one race was started. After the high winds and lightning got within masts reach the races were postponed and we were sent in to wait out the weather. By the time the weather was past us night had fallen. Over the Eastern sky one could see thermal lightning giving everyone a great fireworks display. Dinner was a great Texan tradition barbeque catered in from a great Fort Worth practitioner. (Riscky's Barbeque)
The night wouldn't have been complete without some great dancing to a live band and Captain J.D.'s Lavaritas! Saturday started off well as the dangerous weather had passed us and we were hoping to get out on the proving grounds and play hard! Rain started to fall as the winds had given way to glassy seas. With light to nonexistent winds we got off one race that became extremely tactical as we raced for what seemed like an eternity. The multi-hulls and the spinnaker boats got off the course in reasonable time but the working sail classes extended the race for about 3 hours till there was no more wind or light to race. Coming back to the marina everyone was joyous and in one piece all wanting more wind and a chance to compete. Saturday night Riscky's came up with a great meal of fajitas while the headliner band broke out with some winner tunes. Lavaritas (margaritas that come from a ten foot volcano) were flowing again as the mountain starting erupting as soon as the competitors landed. In sailor style competitors bid silently for all kinds of trinkets of all kinds and values from a nice massage to a Donzi boat. Dancing went on till everyone was satisfied. Everyone went to sleep early as they knew that the race starting times had been pushed up an hour early so we could get in enough races to satisfy the regatta.

Sunday was the day, sunny cold and windy. Wind started off easy 8-10 knots as everyone got suited up for the insanity. When we got out to the proving ground out in the exposed main body of the lake the winds quickly bumped up to 20 knots. Everyone suited up in full armor as we awaited the starting sequence. 3 races convened that opened everyone eyes to the dangers of sailboat racing. From the many near misses and close calls to gear breaks and collisions Sunday was full of "Lakefest" spirit. Lakefest is always a serious competitors concern as the weather is always a big factor; proved again Lake Texoma brought forth serious conditions for the competitors to overcome.

"Godspeed's collission took them out of the race with a broken boom and more"

From Terra Nova getting hung up on the judge's boat to God Speed having a serious collision and boom breakage to fishing sailors out of the lake to the sad personal injury on Predator. It was a busy day indeed, and the weather came back to revel her serious side to us. To the family & crew of the injured sailor we send our best wishes. We await the verdict on the injured sailor but from some reports someone fell and possibly broke ribs and collapsed a lung. We pray that he heals fast and comes back to win more races. As the sailor lay on the deck in serious condition some of the last reported words from his mouth were, "Finish the race!" Predator did manage even with a DNC to finish in 2nd place for class #2. Congratulations to all the sailors that made that win possible! (Consequently Predator was in OUR fleet!)

All in all it was a typical Lakefest averaging about 15 knots from days at zero to days with gusts over 30. The official results will be posted on the Lakefest website
and on the Texoma Sailing Club's website.

I learned a lot and am grateful that we only had a few mishaps and no serious injuries. I am blessed to have met Scott and Harald two passing experienced sailors that graced us with their skill for this special journey. I look forward to our new J122 and learning how to use it as the weapon that it is. To everyone out there, fast sailing…

Pirate Mike.

"Sailing doesn't make a man but it reveals him to himself. His strengths, his weaknesses, his fears and his accomplishments. Sailing is a culmination of everything he knows, thinks, and feels. It brings all the senses together and like the rest of nature shows us how small we really are. Sailing puts things into perspective but yet allows us to be supernatural if even just for a moment." – Pirate Mike…

1 Reference pulled from Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Texoma

Sailing, more than an adventure; it is a lifestyle choice…

Well the more I live the more I write; the more I live the more I sail; the more I sail the more I write; I sail therefore I live. I am alive therefore I must sail. As I write I find that most people are not interested in all of me, so I have tried to break down areas of similarity so that people can enjoy my writings as they apply to themselves. This simple blog is an attempt to communicate my understanding or lack thereof of the sport and lifestyle of sailing.

I have been very fortunate to meet some great characters, true friends and world class sailors. Many times they are all three. I have wanted to collect my thoughts so that later someday I can compile them into a printed collaboration. My life revolves around sailing, selling and well let's just stick with sailing and selling for the moment. I am hoping to expand this blog into a full website at http://www.piratemike.org/ but the development is just starting. So for now I will keep my thoughts here on blogger.

I have 2 other blogs that talk about different facets of my life you can find them at:

http://digitalprintingevolution.blogspot.com/ - My professional thoughts on; Leadership, Creative expression and thought, Selling, Imaging, Printing and Publishing.

http://piratemikedallas.blogspot.com/ - My personal thoughts on everything

I hope that you take the time to read and leave your comments; it is nice to see that someone did actually read the blog.

Pirate Mike