Event - Learn to Crew Day

November 20, 2005

Dozens of people turn out for Learn to Crew day

Last Sunday morning, November 20, RRE’s Boknake meeting house was packed to the rafters with people wanting to have a taste of the sailing life.

Organized by the Mieco Beach Yacht Club, the ‘Learn to Crew Day’ drew over 40 participants who in the morning were taught everything from how to wrap a line around a winch to the various points of sail.

In the afternoon, the new sailors took to the water on seven of Majuro’s international cruising yachts for hands-on experience. And what a beautiful day it was, with plenty of sunshine, calm waters and just the right amount of wind.
Participant Francine Ross said: “All the safety warnings and technical info in the morning made me think it would be more fun to man the radio ashore, but WorldTeach’s Natalie and Jo off Blue Moon talked me into it and I had the best time ever.”

The day was a lead-up to this weekend’s first race of the season, which will be held on Sunday, November 27, with a skipper’s meeting at the ‘clubhouse’ — the Marshall Islands Resort — at 5:30pm on Friday. Seven boats are expected to take part in the race: Bohica, Windswept, Seal, Navi-Gator, Aquila, Toucan, and Piet Heyn.

The yacht club will hold six races over the season (one a month), with the grand finale being the ninth annual Coconut Cup Regatta, which is usually held in late March or early April.

For spectators, the best place to watch the races is from the deck of the resort, with the best of the action happening as the yachts do their pre-race waltz from about 12:30pm.

Captions: (please click on link to open picture)
1. The crew hangs out on the wide aft deck area of the trimaran Windswept
2. US Ambassador to the Marshalls Greta Morris at the helm of Navi-Gator