Sailing a Laser is Wet, So why is Rain a Deterrent?

I took my Laser down to the club and put it in the rack this week. The lake has been ice free for a number of weeks. I’ve been working out. I have a wetsuit and neoprene boots. Why is drizzle a deterrent?

I’m amazed at the challenge of a rainy day in the spring. Suddenly 50 plus degrees seems cold rather than the warmest it’s been in months.  Hypothermia seems more of a threat in the rain than it did a few weeks ago in the sleet storm we had.

Those of you who have read my writings or talked with me personally know I love sailing, and even enjoy practicing, so it is a surprise to me every time I find myself hesitating. I consider what’s happening; I’d rather be warm than cold.

There’s a group of you that are probably disgustedly saying, “Just get your complaining butt in the boat and go sailing.” I envy you your narrowed focus in this circumstance, but I’m sure it will be rather unproductive as we close toward the windward zone together. I think about things when there’s time; so ignore me. On the other hand, where are you today? I didn’t see you out on the lake.

I’m the guy on the edge of the pool who can’t decide whether to jump in or slowly walk down the pool stairs and acclimate myself. I measure the ounces when I go backpacking. I setup and rig my Laser in the driveway and then measure all sorts of boom angles and degrees to figure out where to cut my control lines. (By the way, the Laser I did that to is the easiest to sail and always feels “right” when I race it.)

Now I sense a few are about to pull out that stupidly simple and inaccurate diagnosis – Anal Retentive – in case you’re interested, no such diagnosis exists. Just a detail I thought you might be interested in. But the point I wanted to make was that I gained respect as an EMT for my ability to walk into situations and do the right thing without hesitation. And I’m not terrible on the race course when things begin to dramatically change in a hurry.

I just like to take my time when I have it. So I’ll stay home today and put numbers on my new sail and visualize the perfect start. I hear it is going to be sunny on Sunday; a first sail in the sun would be perfect!