Southern STAR

Grab your girls and enjoy a day on the water

By Kelly MacLeod

While it’s great to get a night out with the girls, sometimes a girls’ day out in nature really feeds the soul. Pensacola is surrounded by fabulous water – from the rivers to the bay to the Gulf. So why not grab some friends and enjoy this natural resource we are so blessed to have?

Don’t have a boat? No problem. There are many ways to charter a boat in this area, but the women of Southern Star will take you out for an afternoon on their 47-foot catamaran and you can relax and enjoy the breeze and the sun without a care in the world.

From the moment you leave the dock in Gulf Breeze, Captain Linda Thompson and Ingrid Hewette make sure you are comfortable and have the knowledge you need to move around the boat safely. You can participate as much or as little as you want. Being a sailor myself, I couldn’t help but jump in and help raise the mainsail. My

WANT TO GO?

• WHAT: Gulf Breeze Sailing’s Southern Star

• COST: Half day sail (3 hours): $800 for up to 6 people; Full day sail (5 hours): $1,200 for up to 6 people; Blue Angel private charter (5 hours): $1,600, includes snacks and drinks

• MORE INFO: gulfbreezesailing.com hardworking Bella team took the opportunity for a well-earned break and relaxed in the beanbags on the bow of the boat.

ABOVE: The Bella team of Kelly MacLeod, Liz Biggs, Beej Davis, Leah Seacrest, Lakesha Davis, Magi Thomas and Allison McCrory with the Southern Star team of Ingrid Hewette and Captain Linda Thompson. RIGHT: Captain Linda Thompson and Ingrid Hewette at the helm of Southern Star.

Thompson and Hewette both grew up in Pensacola and have been sailing since they were kids. Thompson is a US Coast Guard licensed captain and a certified American Sailing Association instructor, so you are definitely in good hands. Both have sailed extensively in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas and the Keys.

Catamarans are stable boats, so you don’t have to worry about the boat heeling (leaning to one side). There is a comfy salon area and a full galley, so it’s easy to enjoy snacks and beverages. There is also a full table behind the helm so you can also enjoy the great outdoors.

Not sure how you would pass the time while out on the water? Chances are really good that you will see dolphins and other wildlife and many times the Blues are out practicing. We were also blessed to get to see the America’s Cup team American Magic out training.

Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, huh?