Race to Bermuda kicking off
Bermuda here we come!
Today is the start of Charleston's marquee race, the Charleston to Bermuda Race, or C2B. Close to 20 boats of various shapes and sizes will cross the starting line just off the dock at the Maritime Center, with the tall ships Spirit of South Carolina and Spirit of Bermuda serving as the starting marks. I have spent this week taking care of last-minute details for my own adventure crewing on Ocean Sailing Academy's entry, E's Alee, a 45-foot Hylas. Friday, I ran to the store for one last required safety item — a strobe light to attach to my PFD/safety harness. This $30 gadget not much bigger than a pack of batteries on a store shelf can save your life if you fall overboard at sea. Standing in the checkout line of the marine store with people buying ski ropes and fishing supplies the thought crossed my mind, "Why am I doing this?"
In bygone days, sailors went to sea for two reasons: out of necessity to trade with foreign lands for goods they needed (or wanted very badly), and second, they were curious about what was out there past the familiar horizon. Call it the spirit of adventure.
None of us starting the C2B today have to go to sea. We have all the goods we need right here. Yet, today we will leave the safety of Charleston Harbor and cross 777 miles of open ocean. Why? We know what's out there, but I suppose we're doing this to find out what's in here — inside of us.
The purpose of the Spirit of South Carolina is to provide exactly that for children like my fourth grade friends from Murray LaSaine Elementary who will be at the starting line to cheer me on. My hope is that they look at the ships, hear the wind in their ears, look past the harbor, and like Jack Sparrow said at the end of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, they say, "Bring me that horizon!"
And you can check out how we're faring by reading my blog on charleston.net.
Special Olympics Regatta
On Friday, June 8, a Charleston police boat carrying a Special Olympics sailor will cross the harbor carrying the torch for the second annual Special Olympics Sailing Regatta. The Flame of Hope will be lit at James Island Yacht Club, host of the event.
Charleston Community Sailing and the James Island Yacht Club work together to makes it possible for athletes with special needs to experience the joy of sailing. Sailing with unified partners, the athletes develop the understanding, skills and confidence to participate in this great sport.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SAILING PROGRAM: Support is needed for the June 8 regatta, and sponsorships are still available. The sponsorship levels are: $100 Scurvy Knave, $250 First Mate, $500 Captain, $750 Commodore, $1000. Master and Commander. Contact Meta Frasch at (843) 795-9667 or Community Sailing's Jessica Koenig at (843) 607-4890 and they will pick up your donation.
Results / Coming up
CORA Spring Harbor Race, sailed Saturday, May 12, Charleston Harbor: (winning boat name, type, owner) A Fleet: Temptress, SR33, Robert Hibdon; B Fleet: Footloose, J/24, Martin Zonjee; C Fleet: Andiamo, Beneteau 35s5, Dave Kowert; D Fleet: English Beat, Catalina 30, Brian Hill.
TODAY: Charleston to Bermuda Race, Maritime Center, noon.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY: Charleston Maritime Festival & Tall Ships Charleston, Maritime Center
SATURDAY: Charleston Community Sailing Buddy Sail, City Marina, 2-4 p.m.
JUNE 8: Special Olympics Regatta
Reach Will Haynie at willh@thepickledish.com.
Click here to read Will's shipboard blog.
