Wrote this back on June 21, 2011… just only now had the time to post my experiences taking ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) at Tradewinds.

It’s interesting who you meet when you’re not paying attention
Learning to sail will be one of the cornerstones in readying myself to navigate the open oceans.  I currently don’t have any ocean faring experience and this will be the most efficient way for me to get my sea legs.

My first day of sailing, though, started about 2 weeks prior.  This follows about how you never really know who you’ll meet and how they would affect your goals and ambitions.  It was lunchtime at work, and my default option is the lunch truck that pulls in every day at 12:40P.

I’ve no other real options as I bike to work and don’t want to bike on a full/empty stomach and the closest lunch places have suspiciously and suddenly closed “temporarily.’  Thus, ever eager to explore what’s around me, I decided instead to take a short 10 minute walk to a place called Amini’s By the Bay... a small restaurant & convenience store that I bike past twice a day.

On arrival, I did a quick look around to scope the place out, and quickly tried to figure out how to order - there’s a sheet of paper at the right counter which one must fill out and place neatly on the counter.  Then, either the gentleman cooking your food or the woman with personality working the register will take your order sheet and fill your order.

Personalities.
That’s what started the conversation between John Greenman and I.  We were both standing, waiting for our food, watching the woman at the counter work the crowd, in complete control of the situation.  She’s not one to mince words or beat around the bush… and does so loudly and with authority.  She told me her name, it was 萬萬, which means Many Millions (e.g. Lots of Money) in chinese.

John and I both cracked a smile, and he said “Personalities.”  That they are.  We both got our orders at the same time and decided to sit and have lunch together.

Turns out that John is a live-aboard in the marina… I told him about my Quest, and he mentioned 2 things.  First, that this local sailing club and school, called, Tradewinds, is just up the street a little and that I should check it out.  The second is that he’s got a buddy he works for that builds boats.  Neat and neat.

The next day, I walked into the club, and met Matt.  He runs the place.  Outdoorsy looking, with a nicely trimmed beard and a twinkle in his eye… shorts and a polo… great attitude and a very easy to work with personality.  I quickly laid out my plans and responded with a tight lip after taking a second to ponder what he had just heard that I was crazy.

But not in a bad way… crazy in a good way, almost encouraging.  I guess that it’s a good sign of a person’s character when they can tell a complete stranger that he’s nuts without offending or putting them off.  I think it’s sincerity.

He was very concise in laying out what his opinion and experience told him.  Then, very diplomatically, told me that I should just try a basic course first before I go any further.  Sign of a wise man.  And I appreciate it.

I signed up for the next available class (July 10, 16, 17).  He invited me to the coming Friday’s Sailboat Races and BBQ that the club holds once a month.

I was instantly excited.  My initial impressions were the complete opposite of what I was expecting from a sailing club.  Everyone I’ve met there so far are great, supportive, and they all have so much experience that I want to absorb.

I’ll be planning on hanging around more to get to know the club members more so that I may learn from their experiences.  Excited for my first day of sailing, green as they come.

Stay Tuned for Part 2: First day of Basic Keelboat 101, ASA Course