WINTER SAILING:
High-Intensity Fun
by Joyce Deaton
F or the adventurous , coastal sailing
in fall and winter brings a special thrill. With
the change of seasons, winds shift to the north
and northeast, bringing steady, cooler breezes. "The
wind is very crisp and strong. You can count
on an excellent wind every day, and that makes
for really intense sailing," says Chris Daniels,
owner of Oriental's School of Sailing in Oriental.
Daniels says most sailors in his community keep
their boats in the water all year and savor the
chance for an invigorating day of sailing when
it's not too cold. There's even an annual New
Year's Day race that attracts about 20 boats.
Experience is important in the strong winds,
however. If you're a novice, or if you sail in
a Sunfish, Laser or similar one-person boat that
flips over easily, you'd better wait for spring. "The
main factor is the skill level of the skipper," says
Daniels. "An experienced sailor likes the challenge
and the adrenaline rush of winter."
The colder weather calls for caution, however.
Winds off the cooler water are even colder than
the actual temperature, and your face and hands
can quickly become chilled. A good first-aid
kit will include warmers you can put in your
gloves and shoes. "Dress warmly in several layers
of clothing, with something to break the wind," Daniels
advises. "If you get wet to the skin, you're
done."
Choose fabrics that dry quickly, such as wool
and synthetic fabrics like Gore-Tex.® Good-quality
foul weather gear is important - a waterproof
jacket and bibs - so you can keep your body core
dry. It's best to take along a change of clothing
and some blankets, and be sure to pack them in
a watertight bag.
"Hypothermia is a real danger if you get wet,
so act immediately," says Daniels. "The first
symptom is shivering. If you're this cold, go
down below, close the hatch, change your clothing
and drink something hot to warm yourself up again.
Huddle next to someone who's dry to share body
heat if necessary. And be sure you have a radio
and cell phone on board in case someone shows
symptoms that would require getting to a hospital
quickly."
Don't let all these cautions scare you, though,
says Daniels. "Sailing in winter can be great
fun if you simply stay within your boundaries.
Don't plan a long trip when it's cold. A few
hours are usually plenty, and it's smart to stay
fairly close to shore. If you take a few precautions,
it will be fun.
"Personally, I love to sail in winter," he smiles. "I
like to be challenged. In the summer the winds
are light, but in winter they're really howling.
You can see what you're made of."
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