I'm Back

Scott,

First of all, let me say that my sincerest condolences go out to you and your family on your loss. It sure seems that your father, like mine, was your hero. No matter what you think, call it sadness/grief/loneliness, he is and always will be with you, and I believe it shows. That being said, I would like to thank you for the effort and thought that you put into this site. SA is one of the main reasons I find myself getting back into racing, and sailing in general.

To know that the "Blue Blazer Group" is viewed by others than myself, as a major downfall to a great pastime, well it's reassuring to say the least. I started sailing at age 4, racing at age 6. It was a father/son thing, racing 420's, Toros, and on my Godfather's 1/4 ton(and eventually his Tuna 35). Dad taught me everything I know about how to sail smart and fast, and that we were. But he also taught me that this should be fun, whether day sailing or racing, or not done at all. After becoming a member of St. Francis, and racing with the Jr. team for about 8 years...the fun was sucked out. Politics and perceptions rule Yacht clubs more so than Big Business. Its a screwed up "game". I grew up in San Mateo, but I might as well have been from Compton. I came from a Blue Collar family, but it might as well have been a homeless drug addicted family. The guys on the team(M. Larson, B. Paine, M. McQueen, J. Moseley) and our coach(P. Andraesen) were all awesome guys, but they played the "game" better than I did (Not to mention they came from the preferred side of the tracks). There are plenty of examples as to the "game", but my intent is to thank you, not bore you. The final straw was at the VOLVO in '92. I was not allowed into the parking lot at the club, even after providing my membership card. I was told the lot was for racer's and members, to which I said, "No shit?!" I believe the real problem was my '62 Volkswagen Bug, wouldn't have looked very good next to the Mount Gay Minivan and the promotional Volvo, parked outside the Jr room. It was then that I realized money does more than make the world go round. It makes, or can make, sailors (even if they suck) rock stars, or perceive themselves to be that, and "Above" everyone else. The following month I stopped paying my dues. F- Them. I was teaching kids at Coyote Point YC and figured I didn't want their pseudo help anyway. So for the last ten years, I've dropped off the scene, except for the occasional midwinter races and a Vallejo or two. I've given the sport and it's participants, a middle finger salute. My sailboard has kept me in touch with the water and the wind. No club hassles, just rig it and tap the adrenaline rush.

Ten years, a wife, two kids, and a whole lot wiser, I find myself missing the old days. Not the YC days, but the days of SBRA. The days of fun. Thedays of camping in the dirt parking lot at Inverness, the Sunday night drink fest at Whiskeytown, the fleet sitting around at Richmond talking about how they blew a gybe and lost the crew when the trap bail came untied....not talking about how well their portfolio did, or their property in Tiburon, or how with the grace of God G. Bush won the election. So eight months ago I run into an old 420 friend. He and I sailed 14's a couple times, and he says he's still involved with them. I check out the website, talk to a few people, and start getting the old "fun" feeling again. Then I stumble onto your site, and have been addicted ever since. This site, combined with the 14 family, is why I have pushed the buttons with my wife, and will be purchasing my new boat very soon. If it were not for your site influence, this probably would not have happened. You(SA) provide an agreement with the words that have been going through my head for a long time...."This should be fun". SA and what it represents is fun. I believe that SA is the heart and soul of what sailing and the sailing community should be. It's that 10 degree lift when you're not quite layin the mark.It is what has been missing in sailing for me. Whether my kids want to sail or race will be entirely up to them, but the opportunity and "fun", family style atmosphere will be there for them to absorb. Not the "Blue Blazer Stuffy" atmosphere....they can make their own decisions as to that.

Thanks for bringing the fun back, Scott

Sail Hard, Sail Fast.