This past week Longshore Sailing School held its annual Racing Techniques course. For over 35 years the curriculum has assembled the best sailors in the program for a week long regatta.
“In many respects, the entire staff looks forward to the competition all summer long,” said Matt Kanaga, Longshore’s Business Manager. ”At the same time, everyone knows Racing Tech marks the end-of-summer and the start of a new school year. It’s bitter-sweet.”
This year, nine participants competed for the Junior Program crown. However, amidst the competition was sportsmanship and camaraderie. ”Regardless of the leader board, everyone had moments of brilliance on the water,” remarked John Kantor, the sailing schools founder. “It’s an individual sport on the water. But on the beach this group of students was a team.”
William Hamer, the 2010 Junior Program Champion sailing on Day 3 of the week long regatta.
Longshore Sailing School will be open for boat rentals and private instruction through September 12th and the weekend of September 18th and 19th (Saturday and Sunday) for kayak and paddleboard rentals.
This week Longshore Sailing School kicks off its annual Racing Techniques course. Tuesday was identical to Monday, except the races counted. Northeast wind 10-15 mph with gusts to 25. Gray. Densely overcast. Showery.
Even though the fleet was sailing with lower horsepower 4.7 rigs, virtually every boat capsized at least once. On one spectacular death-rolley downwind leg (the next to last of the day) there were 5 boats capsized simultaneously in a single gust. It was a contest of survival.
Over the 4 races sailed today everyone showed moments of brilliance. The one with the most moments was Will – 3 bullets in 4 races. For now, he is firmly in the lead. The race for second place is a point apart. Stay tuned, RT fans.
Longshore will be posting scoringupdates in the evening throughout the week.
The documentary film, Longshore Club Park, Westport’s Crown Jewel, tells the rich and vibrant story of Longshore Club Park and the unique role it plays in the lives of Westport residents, their guests and visitors.
Narrated by Frank Deford, the 26-minute film features interviews with people instrumental in creating and sustaining this much-loved and treasured recreational facility for the enjoyment of Westport residents and visitors. Longshore Sailing School owner John Kantor plays a starring role as he shares lifelong memories of “the Club,” as his parents called the Longshore Beach & Country Club, a fabled haunt of New York power brokers and show-biz celebrities from the 1930s until its purchase by the town in 1960.
Also showcased in this fascinating film are rare archival photos as well as stunning aerial and on-the-ground tours of the park today. Produced by the Longshore 50th Anniversary Committee, the film will be show at a special outdoor presentation at the Levitt Pavilion on August 10, starting at 8 p.m. It’s also being broadcast locally on Channel 88 at 6 p.m. on Thursdays through August, and can be purchased as a DVD ($25, tax deductible) at the Longshore Sailing School.
For a glimpse of this much-acclaimed new documentary, click on this link to watch a short preview. And to hear former instructors and staffers sharing their favorite LSS stories, visit this selection of short video interviews conducted at the School’s 50th Reunion celebration on July 2.
The Sheet Bend (also known as a Weaver’s Knot or Weaver’s Hitch) is used to join two ropes together. It is closely related to the Bowline.
Joining Lines of Different Diameter
In the animation two lines of equal diameter are shown. The Sheet Bend is also capable of tying lines of different diameters together. When this is the case, the larger line should assume the simpler role forming a bend as demonstrated by the red line. The smaller line then forms the hitch as shown by the white line in the animation.
Finally, it is important the end of both lines be positioned on the same side of knot when complete. This helps the hitch from slipping through the bend.
A Variation for More Security
Under dynamic conditions, where the Sheet Bend may be continuously loaded and unloaded, a second turn under the hitch is advised. This transforms a Sheet Bend into a Double Sheet Bend as shown in the image below. The second turn helps prevent the knot from working itself apart.
Activities involving rope and knots can be potentially dangerous.
The information shared here is for instructional purposes only. Children
learning the art of knot tying should be supervised by an adult at all times.
Never tie any knot, even one designed not to slip around the waste, neck or
other body part. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from
the use of this material.
