Sailing 101

Dane just had the most amazing experience! An experience I did not think would ever cross his path. One day, I was in the kitchen telling Cassidy all about a sailing trip that was offered through Dane's school. I was saying that it was too bad that Colt or Cassidy were not registered in this distance ed school, as I knew that both of them would love the idea.

Dane has always wanted to be a pilot and shown no interest in anything else. But... I should have paid better attention. We have a friend who has a sailing boat that they have used to sail for the last year and a half down the West Coast and across the Panama Canal. Dane has mentioned that he would love to sail with them, and he also said he would love to go to Hawaii. He has said that many times.

So, it shouldn't have been a surprise when Dane came to me from the other room, where he was doing school work, to inform me that he would love to go on the sailing trip. It was to be a 5 day and 4 night sail. Including travel time they would be gone for six days. The school would pick the kids up enroute to the coast and the cost was phenomenal - $632 and the school paid for $200 of it! The icing on the cake was that it would be a Christian sail, in that it is a Christian non-profit organization that runs these sailing trips.

We quickly decided that Dane would go and he was really happy about it. The boat is a 135 foot Schooner with a 200' tall mast. I tell you that for a reason...

The Group of 25 Teens on the Trip

The Schooner

At Sea

Each day the teens were taught a 1-2 hour lesson, and at the end they had a test. Those that passed got their Level 1 Tall Ship (Schooner) Certification. Some of the things the students had to do: hoist the sails; keep watch on the front and back; while steering the boat; night-watch - they walked around the deck for one hour; wash dishes; clean-up the ship; they had to use Brasso and polish the ships; in the morning the first people up had to wash the decks. There were also other jobs.

Dane absolutely loved the experience and wants to go for his Level 2. We shall have to see how we can accomplish that. I know that they have summer 10-12 day trips, plus around the world trips. Dane would do anything to go on one of those!

Taking the Test

At one point, the Captain told the students that special guests would be coming on board. When they arrived the students were informed that they were from a Swedish schooner. They then proceeded to inspect the bunks. (They were actually the real crew!)


There were two trips off schooner, where the students were able to explore the land. They also were daring enough to jump overboard into the icy water! Dane was one of the crazy ones!



Dane was the first to the top of the mast. The mast was 200 feet tall, but they could only climb to 150 feet. All the students before Dane only went about half way. When Dane went up he showed them that they could actually go much further. He said the foot holds were ever so small at the top. They had to wear a harness, or they wouldn't be allowed up.

Sailor Dane
(click on the pictures to get a close up)

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