PAGE 22 • SPRING 2007 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
FEATURE STORY
continued from page 1
But our association wants to expand this mission by
helping our certified sailors to continue to build on these
skills. So we will be adding events that allow sailors to
gain confidence in an enjoyable environment.
For example, although a student recently certified at the
Bareboat Chartering level has mastered the sailing skills
to charter far from home, he or she may lack the
confidence or local knowledge to skipper their first
bareboat charter. By attending an ASA charter in the
BVI, students learn the ropes of working with a charter
operation in a new location, and will gain the confidence
to do so on their own in the future.
Continue to check future editions of the American
Sailing Journal and on our website at ASA.com for
upcoming ASA sailing events where you can learn from
ASA sailors enjoy the sparkling waters of the British Virgin Islands aboard others and continue to explore the joys of the sailing
the SV Perseverance registered in Idaho City. No doubt the weather was a lifestyle. For details on the flotilla, see the article below
bit nicer than that of Idaho in December. for daily events.
MY FLOTILLA LOG • BY PATRICK SHUSS
O
n the first week of December in 2006, the
spent an evening visiting one of the most beautiful
American Sailing Association hosted a flotilla in
anchorages on Tortola. A couple of boats crossed the
the British Virgin Islands. This event was
channel and discovered moorings at Peter and Norman
intended to encourage members to take the plunge into
Islands. It was as if the islands were welcoming these
bareboat chartering. Eager sailors from all over the
sailors with a challenge that they would gladly accept.
country met in Road Town to begin their adventures.
Day 2, Anchorage at Cooper Island
Though most boats were standard sloop-rigged monohulls, The first gathering of boats took place in Manchioneel
they were joined by a catamaran and even a trawler. Bay at Cooper Island. This was a very popular stop, and
Fourteen boats from The Moorings charter fleet left Road the moorings were all occupied by noon. Boats from the
Town on the second of December and returned on the Spinnaker Sailing School, led by Bob Diamond, joined
ninth. On board these boats were the full spectrum of the ASA group there. The overflow anchorage was Carvel
longtime friends, complete strangers, old salts and new Bay, on the other side of some great snorkeling. After a
sailors. To come were challenges to be met, friends to be lunch of conch fritters at the Cooper Island Beach Club,
made and memories that would last a lifetime. ASA instructor and organizer Brenda Wempner hosted a
rum punch party on the beach that started before
Arriving, Hotel and Checkout
sundown and continued until well after the last rays of
Most of the crews stayed at the Mariner Hotel at the
light were gone.
Moorings base the night before boarding. As you walked
among the boats, the professionalism of the operation was
Day 3, Uphill to Virgin Gorda
apparent. The maintenance crews were a whirlwind of Early in the morning, the flotilla departed for the island
activity, and there was the smell of fresh wax in the air. The of Virgin Gorda. The northeast wind meant that everyone
boats gleamed in the bright sun while the crews loaded had to tack up the channel or use the “iron sail.” While
their vessels and anticipated their imminent departure. some boats stopped at the famous Baths or The Dogs,
others continued on to Gorda Sound to pick up moorings
Day 1, Leaves in the Wind
at The Bitter End Yacht Club. Gorda Sound is a huge
The first day was blustery with a fresh breeze from the
protected bay that is ringed with bars, restaurants, and
northeast. Those who chose to sail did so with a reef in
all sorts of entertaining goings-on. This was also the first
the main and a partial headsail. Most boats headed out of
opportunity to re-provision or take on fuel and water.
Road Town and turned east for Marina Cay where they continued on next page
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