US Snipe Sailor Keep an eye out for the new kid.
And just like Dorothy’s first step down the yellow brick road, we all need to take the initiative.
So try any / all of these.... I like to sail Snipes, but I love the 1. invite a non-fleet member to greater sport and pastime of sailing, sail with you or to your next sailing so I make a point to get in other social event boats when I can. Like last year, when I crewed on a Thistle for the 2. offer to help tune their boat first time, and with a way-backArt Rousmaniere of-the fleet but eager skipper. Or 3. buy a crew a SCIRA membership US National Secretary getting back into Atlantics as a crew (https://snipeusa.com/pay-scira-fleetfor a childhood friend after growing dues/) for $30 ($20 for juniors) up racing in my father’s Atlantic in Cold Spring 4. use your imagination for other inclusion Harbor, NY as a kid. Or sailing my and my wife’s schemes college alumnae regattas this past fall (for those who do not know me, I have been out of college Then repeat at least three times. for a while~~~~). Or even cruising the New England coast with another childhood friend. All Happy Sniping to all! these remind me of what it is like to be new to a class.... not knowing anybody.... not knowing - Art the tricks to the boat.... not knowing the culture on the race course or at the parties. My resultant theorem is that it takes at least three separate Art.rousmaniere@gmail.com and distinct engagements (i.e. regattas or separate days of fleet racing) before a sailor feels “hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky “at home” with a new fleet or class. Yes, growing a fleet takes effort, but this does not have to be hard. Know that for most of us, we do this because we want to have fun. So start with this simple two-step process that focuses on the social stuff: 1. Reach out to non-Snipers, new-to-thefleeters or those who are familiar but your paths do not cross much. Get to know them - you do not need to be an extrovert or comedian. Ask how you can help them improve as a sailor - you do not need to be the fleet champion. 2. Repeat step 1 at least three times
let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic...” ― Van Morrison
SCIRA USA 2812 Canon Street San Diego, CA 92106 619-222-0252 Danielle Richards, Executive Administrator danielle@odmsail.com Sherri Campbell, SCIRA Finances sherri@odmsail.com Jerelyn Biehl, SCIRA Executive Director jerelyn@odmsail.com Winter 2017