Laura Johnson
Life and Arts Editor
Sailboating is often considered a “rich people” sport. However, others can benefit from this past time, as well. There is a time and a place for water activities like water skiing and inner tubing, but, for those who just want to go enjoy the water, the use of a motor is unnecessary.
Senior Blake Kewish, who has his captain’s license, went on his first sailboat when he was two-weeks old. He said he believes the best way to experience the water is by sailboat.
“Once you’ve actually bought the boat, that’s the most expensive part of the whole thing,” Kewish said. “You don’t have to pay for gas. You’re not restricted by having to stop from place to place for gas. With sailing, you are free to just go.”
Some may feel that it is a daunting task to learn to sail, or that it may take a lot of time. Though this may be the case for some, it is not always true.
“Sailing is all about finding the place and the time; it’s not that complicated,” Kewish said.“ The circumstances of the water are really what make it complicated, not the actual learning.”
California has some of the most beautiful places to experience the beauty of sail, including the Santa Monica area. Unless one owns a sailboat, a certification of some kind is needed in order to rent one.
Thanks to the Pepperdine-issued physical education class, there is an opportunity for all students to take a class and become certified in basic keelboat sailing.
The classes are taught through Blue Water Sailing in Marina Del Rey, which is certified by the American Sailing Association. There are two in-class sessions and three sessions out on the water. In order to receive the certification, a written and ‘behind the tiller’ section of a test must be passed.
Junior Elizabeth Kennedy earned her sailboating license through Pepperdine and said it has been well worth the effort.
“Now I go sailing all the time on my grandparents boat up in the Puget Sound in Seattle,” Kennedy said. “ Sailing is something that takes more work and requires more skill in order to do than a motor boat does. It’s a lot more rewarding.”
Unfortunately, the course itself seems to be in danger of being offered.
Michael Feltner, the chairmen for the Natural Science division, said the enrollments in the sailing physical education elective have recently been down.
“This current semester we only have 9 or 10 students,” Feltner said. “ We offer P.E. classes in accordance to what the student demand is.”
Perhaps because the class is about an extra $500 charge, people are being discouraged. However, it would be that much or more to be certified outside of the school-sponsored class.
Once the certification is passed, renting a boat from Blue Water Sailing becomes easy. It is only $85 for a maximum of four people to rent a Catalina 22 for half a day and $105 for a full day. Split between four, it translates roughly to what one would spend on a meal in Malibu.
Sailing is one of the oldest modes of transportation in the world. Columbus, Pirates and Vikings did it, and who would not want to be like them? The feel of sheets sliding through the hands, a teak deck beneath Sperry Top-Sider deck shoes, the whistle of the wind through the sails and the smell of sea salt in the nostrils is an experience unlike anything else.
“Sailing is a great hobby to have — a great commonality,” Kennedy said. ”It truly brings opportunity for traveling and getting closer with family and friends.”
10-02-2008
