May 4, 2009
Sailboats for Rent
My Father was a sailor, not with any Navy but he sailed for pleasure and for racing. He grew up on the shores of one of the Great Lakes and that is where he learned to race sailboats. When he moved to California, he became busy with earning a living and providing for his family and so this love of his was put on the back burner. I was with him the day that he rekindled his love of sailing. It is a day I will never forget, because it was the day my love of sailing was born.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and the entire family went for a little ride in the car. Somehow, we ended up at Newport Beach Harbor. When my Father saw a sign that said “sailboats for rent” he just couldn’t resist the lure of the wind in the sails and he rented one of the small little boats. The entire family climbed on board still dressed in our “church-going Sunday best”; this was long before jeans were common attire for any family member.
My Father was completely at ease as he took the little sailboat out of its slip into the waters of the busy harbor. The entire family had a crash course (without any crashing) on sailing terminology and strict instruction on what to do and what not to do when the command of “Stand by to Come About” was given. In retrospect, I don’t think I have ever seen my Father so happy as he was that day at the helm of that little skiff. He was in his element and loving it!
Years later, he moved to “the beach” and bought a sailboat. One worthy of racing and capable of winning, with the correct skipper, which he was. He and my Brother amassed hundreds of sailing trophies. He could out sail men in more expensive boats, better equipped boats, men with more physical strength, and men half his age and younger! He knew all the rules and just how far they could be taken without being broken. He knew how to take advantage of the wind and his opponents weaknesses. And perhaps most important, he knew the capabilities and limits of his beautiful winning boat. He was particularly proud of the fact that an article about him was published in a local paper.
And so it was his last request that even in death, he have one last ride on the waves of the ocean he so loved. I will tell you the story of his beautiful Memorial Service at Sea in another post as it will be a long one, as all the beautiful elements that comprised it deserve to be told in their entirety.
