What Boat Racing Teaches Our Children

[Mark 72@E]

I just had an interesting conversation with my 12 year old J driver. At his middle school today his class was working on a project to assemble carts that would be used to collect recycling bins around his school.

In his group, he was the only one who knew what to do... what tools to use...where the washers went correctly...which parts fit where...and so on. As he told me the story, he knew >>why<< he knew these things. It was because of boat racing.

Last month, for the first time ever, I applied the finish on a race boat and installed the hardware. Or I should say, I helped my J driver apply the finish on his boat and helped him install the hardware. He and I worked side-by-side for two hours a night for two weeks before the race at Wilson, NC. It was the best father-son project we have ever done.

At Wilson, NC we had to scratch JH for Saturday because we weren't ready and unfortunately JH was the first class of the day. With the help of his brother, #1 son, we finished the JH at midnight Saturday, using flashlights and the outside porch light of our RV.

When it was over, we had used dozens of tools and twice as many parts fitted together one piece at a time. My J driver raced his new boat for the first time on Sunday at Wilson, NC.

So what's my point?

We racers often evangelize amongst ourselves that boat racing is more than just racing. It's about family, friends, etc., etc. But we need to do a better job about telling >>other<< parents that the benefits of involving our children in boat racing go far beyond the race itself.

Learning how to use tools and assemble parts is just one of a long list of life-long benefits of involving our children in boat racing.

What are some other benefits of getting kids in boat racing that non-racing parents should know?

Photo from Sunday, at Wilson, NC, 2009...

[sam]

Great points Mark. My daughter doesn't even race but she usually tags along and she has a better understanding of things like the size of the gas tank limiting how far/long a boat can run, that a kill switch - like an ignition switch - completes an electrical circuit important for a motor to run, the names of most of the parts of a boat and a motor, a little about buoyancy and aerodynamics - and like Luke, once in a while one of these things serves her elsewhere in life.

In addition to the nuts and bolts aspect, there are also a lot of interpersonal relation lessons to observe and experience at a boat race. Its not unusual to meet someone new on Friday or Saturday morning and feel that they are a good friend by Sunday afternoon ... you may also see old friends have harsh words and a few minutes later see them working together like teammates. It is good for kids to see the real world and not just what someone has scripted on TV.

There was a new racer at Lambertville this spring ... even though it is written out in text here and on other websites, he and his family were practically overwhelmed at the help racers give each other before the clock hits zero.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Mark,

Boat racing (building) does indeed teach life skills to our children and grandchildren. After a good close heat of racing watching the drivers (young and old) shake the hands of their fellow racers win or lose, offer assistance for a boat that didn't run well or came in on a tow rope in need of repairs and everyone gathering on the beach to carry it up and watching them fix it later in the glow of a campfire.

The great team attitude that is passed down is a lesson that makes these youngsters excellent spouses, parents, employees and managers later in life.

Boat Racing - more than just a hobby, more than just a sport!

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Picture Moved From First Post To Here

Reposting Mark's picture so I could move this to Latest News Stories. I think there is a great life lesson here!

This is Mark's picture originally attached to the first post.

Photo from Sunday, at Wilson, NC, 2009...

[csh2z]

By the way, Mark & Luke, you guys do some nice work.

[Check-book]

a couple more thoughts...........

My sons, working on their boats and motors, had little time to get into too much trouble with the law, alcohol, or illegal substances as did so many of their peers........and, my daughter learned to handle eager young men in a relatively controlled environment.
But, probably most importantly,
I can not envision a better group of roll models for our kids and grandkids than the boat racers and their families... hard-working, competitive, ethical, striving for perfection, compassionate...all traits that we want to impart to our kids.

Annhh, Augustine, get off the soapbox........

[fbref5269]

it transends to other sports

hi all,

i look at this from a sportsmanship light. as some of you know i have refereed high school football for 23 years and college ball for 15 years. i have seen a steady decline in sportsmanship over the years. to the point of the "f bombs" coming out of the huddles. i flagged a player last friday night when he told an injured played from the other team to "stay down becasue that's where you'll be the whole game". no folks that's not football. where do they learn it.... from the parents and others. racing does build a team spirit, a family feeling an all round 'we're in this together' feel.

labor day weekend i raced in 250 pro. it was the first time in 31 years i was in a hydro(last one was a c service, man the 250 was a little faster). the augustine clan helped me get the boat and engine ready. that is what i'm talking about. i had some problems and they helped me or should i say i helped them work them out. that's what racing is all about. helping others and everyone has a great time.

remember we all have jobs to go to on monday we're not getting rich racing. racing is a 'non in your face sport', we'll leave that to the nfl and the pro wrestlers. too bad others aren't, they could learn a lesson.

can someone help an old guy off this soap box?

frank

ps as for being a reff.... it's better than being married.. i'm always right

[Leeann]

^ I umpire for the same reason :P

The same sort of thing happens in softball, but not usually in youth softball. I umpire all ages and the girls are usually fine (even into college). It's their parents I have trouble with (I have been known to throw out parents). In the men's game, though, we have problems with the language, with intent to injure, with attitude....

[Allenthefamily]

Don't forget the long car trips that bring you to new places. All the sightseeing that you do along the way and reading maps is a learning experience.

Learning how to live within a budget, eating peanut butter and jelly, sleeping in the trailer and so on.
Mind you, I only am related to someone who does the above, but he was weaned on racing this way!

[Mark 72@E]

Thanks for the compliment

By the way, Mark & Luke, you guys do some nice work.

Thank you, John. I appreciate the compliment a lot since I admire the boats you build.

We didn't touch the boat for two weeks after picking it up while I tried to figure out what to do next and how to proceed. We made a few mistakes and we'll do even better on the next one.

Any unpleasant memories from the experience seemed to melt away when Luke was announced the winner over the loudspeaker at Lock Haven on Saturday. What a thrill...for him I mean...

[L. Allen]

Learning how to win gracefully
and learning how to lose gracefully.

[ian]

Learning how to make peanut butter sandwiches with a three blade propeller instead of a knife. Cause you know, who brings a knife?

[L. Allen]

I thought that's what shim sticks were for...

[ian]

Also why my grandfather never liked five blades....

[Check-book]

Nah

I thought that's what shim sticks were for...

Turn fins are for PB and J,

and screwdrivers are for Spam - right, Ian?