some more cute video. They get such a hoot out of intentionally capsizing for fun. Again, shot recently off the Founders Park Beach in the Keys. 98% of these kids are under 10, 2 are Opti green fleet sailors.
A class from the Montessori school across the street celebrated the end of the school year with a beach and sailing party, so there were 25ish kids in the group total.

Even more kids sailing Waves

Thank you SO much for posting these videos, Barb. If a picture is worth a thousand words, these videos must be worth a million words.

Thanks, I get such a big kick out of the kids sailing I just gotta share it.

One more video coming out today and then I'm caught up.

OK, last video clip for today. I'm all caught up until I shoot more. You know, it's not as easy as it seems to drive and shoot at the same time.

In this clip the kids are working on using the telltales on their sails (some of which are missing and should be replaced by next video....) and working on figuring out upwind laylines.

It was extremely light air.

telltales and laylines

Thanks so much Barb, you are doing the Lord's work teaching all those kids to sail cats! I've taught kid's Opti programs and it's no pic-nic!

How do the Opti kids like the Waves by comparison, have they been out in more wind where they can go faster?

Timbo, they "Crave the Wave," so to speak. It's fun, it's fast (by comparison), and when the wind picks up you can hear their glee for miles around. Plus it's social. They get to tool around with their buddies on board, comfortably.

One of these particular Opti kids, Ryan, took the helm of our I-20 last summer (just tooling around) and he was actually quite good. He's 9 now. Of course Chip and I crewed for him, but I was impressed. We sailed every point of sail, including spin. This kid is eventually going to grow up to be an awesome cat sailor.

That's Great Barb! Hey, if he wants to crew on a F16 (and drive sometimes) I might have a spot for him!

I remember when I taught kids in Opti's, their two biggest complaints were how slow they were, and that they had to sail alone, no room for friends. When the Wave came along, I thought for sure it would be the death of the Opti, but the Opti fleet had a huge head start and is pretty much "the beginner boat" at most yacht clubs and the USODA is huge and very well organized.

Too bad the Wave didn't come along about 30 years ago! But, with these kids you are teaching now, there is hope for our future! Thanks for doing it.

Bless you Barb. This is wonderful to see.