PNW HIGH SCHOOL SAILORS TAKE ON THE ROSE BOWL REGATTA

by Julia Soes

No amount of high-end rain gear will make Seattle sailing feel like California. So, for our winter season this year, we hung up our heaviest foulies and went to California.

As the Northwest works to become a more competitive district, going to sail against top teams from other regions is a must, and it is a lot of fun, too. In January, six high school teams from the Pacific Northwest attended the Rose Bowl Regatta hosted by the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association (PCISA). The two day event in Long Beach drew 78 teams from around the country, including Pacific Northwest high school teams from Bainbridge Island, Orcas Island, Olympia, Capitol, Gig Harbor, and Lakeside.

For teams who were not accustomed to beach launching boats, the sand was a nuisance and the high surf warning was a bit sporty, to say the least. On the second day, one rig was damaged when the breakers on shore sent boats ripping into the beach and bowled over any sailors in their path. Throughout the weekend, many rudders, hulls, and centerboards received an involuntary sand blasting.

The regatta was sailed in Club Flying Junior dinghies, and fleets were divided into gold, silver, and bronze divisions, based on the team’s experience and national standing. The top schools in the gold and silver fleet were predominantly