Monday, May 23, 2005

Nelson's dockyard

What a place for sailors -- Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.

Miami Rainbow

Amazing flat rainbow over the city of Miami during the Orange Bowl Regatta.

Tall Ship Stad Amsterdam

The majestic Stad Amsterdam from the Netherlands -- built in 2000.

You can sail on the Stad Amsterdam!

Why not sail on the nearly new square-rigger -- Stad Amsterdam!

Luxurious, fascinating and fast. You'll love your cruise on this authentic tall ship!

From one-week trips in the caribbean to transatlantic voyages, this ship does it all.

For more info, go to the Stad Amsterdam web site

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Windsurfing in Newport

See-through sails save lives...

Windsurfing is sailing!

I just love windsurfing -- it is so fast and exhilirating.

There are many different types of windsurfing --racing: slalom, long distance or round the buoys; flat water sailing, jumping and even loops!

You are probably not too old to learn to windsurf; but take lessons -- you'll learn much faster than if a friend or relative shows you how. Just like snow skiing, you have to get past the initial awkward stage -- soon you'll be flying along and you'll actually be able to get back where you started!

Have fun; do it this season!

Willie

Jesse and Kirsten hiking hard

Focusing on the finish -- photo by Kim Ferguson

New England High School Sailing

My two teenage boys are having a ball with high school sailing!

Sometimes they have team racing which is great fun because they can sit on top of their competitors and delay them to let their teammembers sneak past -- remember roller derby? Everyone on the team has to remember the winning combinations -- there are three boats per side and you have to get a 1, 3, 5 or 1, 2, 6, or 1 ,4, 5, or 2, 3, 4, etc. to win.

And sometimes they have fleet racing where each sailor tries to beat as many boats as he/she can.

Our local high school team won the state championship this year and upset some of the favorites -- my boys were very happy. I'll post a couple of pictures of the boys racing 420s.

To see more shots, visit the school sailing web site.

Willie

finish


finish, uploaded by Willie Waw.

Close Race -- photo by Kim Ferguson

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Bark Europa


Europa, photo by Willie Waw.

The beautiful Bark Europa from the Netherlands

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Tall Ships on the West Coast -- Summer 2005

Have you always wanted to sail on a traditional tall ship?

It's great fun, but hard work.

Most tall ships are not like cruise ships -- you are expected to help with the operation of the ship -- you'll probably help stand watch, haul on lines, help with chores and maintenance and learn a lot about sailing and seamanship -- all while whooshing along at 10-12 knots -- what an experience!

As many as 45 traditionally-rigged sailing vessels from 5 countries will participate in the Tall Ships Challenge Race Series this summer. They'll visit 7 ports in British Columbia, Washington State and California from June 23-August 22nd. You could sail on one of the race legs between host ports.

To learn more, visit the sail training web site in the 'Links' section or send an email message to lori@sailtraining.org -- they will help you decide which ship is right for you. They say previous sailing experience is not required.

Willie

Lynx


Lynx, photo by Willie Waw.

Privateer Lynx from California

Saturday, May 14, 2005

First Words

Welcome to Sailscape blog -- it's new today.

In this blog, we'll be posting information on sailing of all kinds -- from windsurfing to tall ships, from daysailing to circumnavigating, and lots of ramblings and digressions. We hope you'll enjoy it and also participate by sending in comments and suggestions.

Willie

RI Sunrise