Clinic wrapup

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Clinic wrapup

Thanks for all who attended, taught and otherwise offered moral support at the clinic Saturday.  At the risk of leaving anyone out, thanks go to

Richard Genet, Michel Krupa (organization and food)
Chuck Hardin, Chris Pyron (instruction)
Danny Johnson (rig caddy)
Gene Mathis, Mimi and Francisco Silva, Carol Moon, Simon Fragakis, Dave DeLozier (assistance/equipment/moral support)

We had about 25 students in attendance, including some family of present club members. Chuck and Chris led the land instruction, followed by a Michel Krupa/ Mimi Silva catered lunch.  Then we hit the water. Pretty soon, the students were out sailing comfortably around in the mild 5-10 mph NW wind.

My particular pleasure was seeing at least 9 kids on the water, ages 6-13. With the new equipment and child friendly rigs, they were off and sailing in no time.  Of the first 5 kids I sent out for 3 runs a piece, only 2 fell in- once each. No longer is learning to windsurf a trial of climbing on, uphauling and falling back in. The kids definitely got it and by late afternoon, the oldest were sailing back and forth and experimenting with progressively bigger rigs.

Amazing though that the physically fit 13 yr old (90 lbs) had difficulty dealing with an adult 4.8 rig. It's easy to forget how small and light rigs need to be when dealing with kids. (It would be like teaching an adult male with a 9.5) Also gets you thinking about how good Robby Naish was to win the Windsurfer Worlds at that age.

On the adult side, we saw lots of success, too. Just about everyone was sailing around with only a couple of downwind escapades.

Our best wishes to all the new windsurfers and our hopes that they continue to the ripe old age we've seen at our  Seniors regattas in years past.

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