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At an undisclosed location somewhere on the east coast, my youngest son Luke, age 9, finally got his wish to drive a race boat.
Although the opportunity exists for him to race JSH at Lock Haven this season, I’ll probably wait until next year after he has had plenty of practice time in the boat. It was hard enough to teach him about racing and boating rules at the same time:
Me (pointing to the nearest buoy): Stay to the left of that green buoy.
Luke: But I thought I was supposed to pass buoys on the right.
Me: Yes, race buoys. You always pass race buoys on the right. That is a navigational buoy.
Luke: What’s navaganational buoy?
Me: I’ll explain that later. Just do as I say. Once you’re past that green buoy turn right.
Luke: But I thought race boats were only supposed to turn left?
Me: You’re right, race boats are only supposed to turn left during a race. But you need to turn right after the buoy to stay in the channel.
Luke: What’s a channall?
Me: I’ll explain that later. Just make a very slow turn to the right and lean to the right when you turn.
Luke: How will I know if I’m turning to the right slow enough?
Me: If you barrel roll then you’re going too fast.
Luke: What’s a barroll roll?
And so on...
Driving with my wife on the way home he told her this was the happiest day of his life.
Although the opportunity exists for him to race JSH at Lock Haven this season, I’ll probably wait until next year after he has had plenty of practice time in the boat. It was hard enough to teach him about racing and boating rules at the same time:
Me (pointing to the nearest buoy): Stay to the left of that green buoy.
Luke: But I thought I was supposed to pass buoys on the right.
Me: Yes, race buoys. You always pass race buoys on the right. That is a navigational buoy.
Luke: What’s navaganational buoy?
Me: I’ll explain that later. Just do as I say. Once you’re past that green buoy turn right.
Luke: But I thought race boats were only supposed to turn left?
Me: You’re right, race boats are only supposed to turn left during a race. But you need to turn right after the buoy to stay in the channel.
Luke: What’s a channall?
Me: I’ll explain that later. Just make a very slow turn to the right and lean to the right when you turn.
Luke: How will I know if I’m turning to the right slow enough?
Me: If you barrel roll then you’re going too fast.
Luke: What’s a barroll roll?
And so on...
Driving with my wife on the way home he told her this was the happiest day of his life.
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