Not to push the agenda...
When my daughter was under 4, sailing was tough. Many changes had to be done to the boat. Trips had to be short, and we thought ourselves lucky if we did one sail a month... Boat was primarily used as a waterfront condo. If we went out, it was typically motoring, since here in the Bay conditions are frequently unnerving - 25kts is a daily norm. We became masters of sailing under jib alone
.
When she was 4, she really liked local cruises to her favorite destinations - Pier39 with it's aquarium was the best. She also had fun at yacht clubs, as usual crowds treated her with huge amusement
. One time we went to a high-end yacht club for a weekend, and had to cross "The Slot" - area in the Bay directly exposed to ocean winds and swells. Things were a bit hairy - wind over 30, waves 5-6 feet, mixed, but mostly in a starboard aft quarter. My girl was hunched on a cockpit seat next to the wheel, face towars the ocean. I though she was scared. Then I stood above her to see if she may be sea sick (BTW, never happend - ever) or something, and found out she is smiling wide and catching sea spray on her tongue that she stuck out! We also saw a couple of harbour porpoises later, so it made her day!
When she was 5, she discovered new friends at the marina - and going to the boat became something she is really looking forward to.
And when she turned 6, we did a first serious multi-day trip to the Sacramento River Delta. She was hooked
. Dinghy rides, kayaking, swimming, yacht clubs, local restaurants, icecream in the marina office, and - the pinnacle adventure - a tow from Vessel Assist - all sank way deep in her.
So, now she is hooked. She looks forward to long cruises now. She may whine while we sail - a little - but when we are done, she asks when we can go again. Although... Now she is almost 8 and runs with a crowd that thinks that sailing is somehow "not cool". That's going to change though - we are about to depart to Mexico for a week-long cruise in the Sea of Cortez. Will see what she thinks after all the kayaking, snorkeling and fooling around she will get! Also, our friend who invited us to his boat, tends to spoil her rotten, so I have high hopes
.
Damn our 2 weeks vacations! Not nearly enough!
So, in 3-4 years it's all is going to change.
Regards,
Stan
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