Sailing Keeps Me Young

A while back we did a shout-out to young sailors within our readership to learn how they enjoy the sport of sailing, how they got into it, and how they like the content of Latitude 38. We received lots of enthusiastic responses (which we’ll distill down into an article next month), including a note from Dennis Olson of Santa Rosa.

Although he has plenty of opportunities to sail on big boats owned by friends, Dennis’s favorite boat to sail is his Laser, for which he paid $1,800 when it was nearly new. 

In answer to our question "What events or destinations are on your sailing bucket list?" Dennis replied, "I live at my bucket list places: Tomales and San Francisco bays." And he says he likes the mix of sailing news in Latitude just as it is: "Nothing more. Keep up the good work!"

At the bottom of Dennis’s note he admitted that he’s not really under 40; he’s 68. "Forgive me for intruding," he wrote, "but, as I still sail my Laser (countless water-mileage in all these years) I do not feel my age. When I’m out sailing I feel like I’m 34 again.

The self-taught sailor explains, "I was 34 when I bought this little beast, and spent the first few sessions alone, mostly swimming in San Francisco Bay off Crissy Field and in Tomales Bay. That first day I went home early thinking ‘I’ve bought a boat that I can’t sail!’

"But persistence and meeting some other helpful Laser sailors at China Camp (where afternoon conditions were just as gnarly) really helped my learning curve and spirits.

"This boat is like riding a fast horse. You are part of the equation. It is a force bigger than you. It requires finesse, delicate balance, and, in big wind, some sustained muscle work and bravery. While spitting out saltwater, you’ll be talking to yourself as adrenaline rises and the mind empties of all but what is happening right now."

How do you get the next generation of sailors out on the water? By Dennis’s example, one answer is to start with the basics aboard a Laser, El Toro or even a vintage Sunfish. You can often pick one up for a song at a yard sale or marine flea market. If the boat you sail makes you feel much younger than your actual age, we’d love to hear about it.