Today’s weather patter was a little different thanks to the system in the gulf, however summer sailing proceeded as usual. The wind was more tame than day 4 allowing some groups to make great advances.
Mercury Mentors split into two groups, with one on the water and one on land. The water group started out practicing tacks, with each sailor tacking at least twice. The land group was quizzed on boat parts as well as the process of tacking, and were rewarded with candy. The two groups switched half way through the morning so everyone was able to have a turn.
Beginner Opti’s started out reviewing a few more technical aspects that were gone over the previous day’s afternoon, and quickly got on the water to sail a course designed to get them to sail all three points of sail. In the afternoon they took to the same course again, but those who volunteered were allowed to sail by themselves for the first time. for the last 30 minutes, they were all rewarded for all their progress throughout the week with a sandbar break.
Green Fleet started out with a drill designed to have sailors tack quickly and efficiently within the motorboats wake. If the went beyond the wake, they had to round the last boat. The first boat to touch the buoy being dragged was declared the winner. After that, rabbit starts were ran. In this drill, one sailor starts upwind and the others must duck that first one, and head upwind. Once everyone was heading upwind, the first boat tacks so they are all going the same direction.
The 420’s took to the seas and pretended to be pirates, with the most feared pirate being Hayes.
