02 Sep 95 19:50, Dan Ceppa wrote to Janine Schlador:
 DC> The next thing that requires very serious consideration:  How
 DC> much do you want to associate with the other sailor/racers?
 DC> Are they "blood and guts" with a pre-rigged protest flag?  (true
 DC> story, BTW, though it does have a happy ending!)  Are they willing
 DC> to help you to learn the techniques to make you competitive?
Good advice, I hope Janine can find a good group to race with.  I have grown 
to really love Sunfish racing.  I joined a club here several years ago and 
started racing.  One of the best things about the experience was that the 
"old hands" were seemed to really enjoy helping and teaching the new racers.  
We always have a race meeting before the races and the new sailors are given 
sailing/racing tips and exposed to the rules.  Usually we don't start 
enforcing fouls until half way through the season.  That means that the 
experienced sailors have to put up with some grief from the new folks, but 
that's part of the personality of this racing group.
After six years of racing, I am one of the "old hands" now and still enjoy 
the experience.  The season just ended and I finished with the first place 
trophy.
 DC> Anyhow, I've been racing on various boats for 4 seasons now.  It's
 DC> been a blast!  Best thing is that I was taught by a great skipper,
 DC> both in technique and attitude.  We have always had a great time
 DC> out on the water, no matter how good (usually) or poorly(raely!)
 DC> we have done.
 DC> IOW, the object, to me at least, is to have fun and learn all
 DC> you can and then some.
I agree.  I have a good time every time I race.  I have a better time if I 
win, but I enjoy a good, close race.  We had a couple of races this year 
where four of us were about tied for first at the jib mark.  There were some 
interesting conversations leading up to the mark.
If I wanted aggravation, I'd take up golf (again). ;-)
--- GoldED 2.40.P0720
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