During my senior year at BU (in 1999), we spent our spring break sailing out of Ransom Everglades High School in Miami. It was normal for me to assume that the trip would be my last spring break with the BU team. This past March, I went on spring break with the BUDS (Boston University Dinghy Sailors), this time to Charleston, SC. Nine years later, it was just as enjoyable.
(Above) BUDS Gordon Mack (’10) and Veronica White (’09).
It was a busy trip, with the majority of the team racing regattas on the weekends before and after break. One of those events was the Navy Women’s Intersectional, held on March 8 – 9. Annapolis is about a 9 hour drive from Boston, but in March that distance it is not far enough south to be guaranteed nice weather. On Saturday morning we woke up to dense fog and temperatures of about 45 degrees. The fog cleared by around 11AM, and winds of around 12 knots cooled things off a bit more. Things took a real nasty turn around 4 PM when a solid blast of probably around 35 knots knocked over the majority of the fleet. By one count, 22 of 36 boats were capsized. Obviously, that meant the end of the racing day, but not the end of the sailing day. Over the next 90 minutes, the race committee, coaches, and every sailor who was available, drove around in motorboats, rescuing capsized, frozen sailors. Several masts broke, several boats were washed up onto land. It was quite a scene, and definitely not a boat maintenance guy’s dream. In fact, the damage was so extensive to the FJ fleet that we were unable to use it the next day, and the regatta was completed using only the 420 fleet.
(Above) Bobby Martin (’08), Alli Bittl (’10), and Ben Spiller (’09), playing tourist during a stop at South of the Border. I have been trying to convince the kids that South of the Border is a terrible place. I have been unable to do so, and I consider that one of my great failings as a sailing coach. It is my hope that pictures like this will embarrass them into never going back.
After our exciting little adventure at Navy, we went down to Charleston from March 10 – 14. We were greeted by sunny skies and moderate breeze on Monday morning. Twenty-two sailors made the trip, so we had 11 boats for the week. Due to the weather, the BUDS have few if any practice time under their belts prior to spring break. So much of the week is spent doing boathandling and boatspeed drills to help shake the rust off and shape up the fundamental skills. The weather cooperated, and we got tons of sailing time in Monday through Thursday. There was no wind on Friday morning, but we took that as a sign to pack it in and head north, as the team had big events at the Naval Academy and St. Mary’s College the very next day.
(above) Janel Zarkowsky (’09) and Meredith Varr (’09) flattening the boat after a gybe.
We did get a chance to enjoy Charleston as well. Several kids went on tours of the city, one of which was a haunted mansion tour. We had a great team night out at the go-cart track, and we checked out some nice local restaurants. One notable spot was a seafood place called Hyman’s. They let customers decorate plates which they hang on the walls. BUDS artist Sarah Whalen made a plate with the BUDS burgee which we all signed. If you ever happen into Hyman’s, read the message on the back of our plate.
With some work, the BUDS should have a successful spring season. The women’s team qualified for the National Championship last year, and every sailor from that team returned this year. Current National rankings list the co-ed team in 16th, and the Women’s Team in 14th. Teams to beat this year include St. Mary’s, Yale, and Boston College. All three teams are very deep, and are expected to finish well at the co-ed, team racing, and women’s national championships.
BU Head Coach Brad Churchill, in familiar form on the MIT dock. Yes, he is wearing roller blades and carrying ski poles. Brad has been known to skate to regatta venues 50 miles or more from home in this fashion.