Rob B
Well-Known Member
The tail end of my "Gear thread" turned into more of a philosophical banter about being a role model for safety and other things to younger sailors.
I think this deserves it's own thread as we have a lot of juniors that not only sail in our class, but post on this forum as well.
I started racing at 12 years old on big PHRF boats and most of my good friends were adults, (folks in their late 20's on up to early 50's). Back in the early 80's I got exposed to a lot of things hanging around these guys and gals. I would not change those experiences for anything!
I saw a lot of stupid things done and some smart things done by my "mentors". I'd like to think I was able to recognize the not so smart things enough at the time to not emulate them, but honestly can't remember.
What do you guys think? What's cool and not cool for us older folks to do? If we sail fast and take chances are you, (as a younger sailor) prone to try what you see or do you have your own standards that you refuse to cross?
I like to think that I make an effort to keep cool on the race course and not scream or cuss and always do a turn if I think I'm wrong in a situation. On land I like to have a few drinks and swap the daily "War stories" with my fellow competitiors and freely give advice if asked.
It would be interesting to know what the older folks think about while on the course and what the younger folks think about what the older folks say/do.
I think this deserves it's own thread as we have a lot of juniors that not only sail in our class, but post on this forum as well.
I started racing at 12 years old on big PHRF boats and most of my good friends were adults, (folks in their late 20's on up to early 50's). Back in the early 80's I got exposed to a lot of things hanging around these guys and gals. I would not change those experiences for anything!
I saw a lot of stupid things done and some smart things done by my "mentors". I'd like to think I was able to recognize the not so smart things enough at the time to not emulate them, but honestly can't remember.
What do you guys think? What's cool and not cool for us older folks to do? If we sail fast and take chances are you, (as a younger sailor) prone to try what you see or do you have your own standards that you refuse to cross?
I like to think that I make an effort to keep cool on the race course and not scream or cuss and always do a turn if I think I'm wrong in a situation. On land I like to have a few drinks and swap the daily "War stories" with my fellow competitiors and freely give advice if asked.
It would be interesting to know what the older folks think about while on the course and what the younger folks think about what the older folks say/do.