Pictures shoĀ» soiling boots during
Š¾
regatta ot Sotterwhite Point on Kerr Lake. Regottas ore held monthly by the new, last-growing Caroline Soiling
Club.ā IPhotos by The Stollords, Henderson.)
by bill actants
Sail boating is coming back to North
Carolina in an unexpected way.
Strangely enough, white sails leanĀ¬
ing against the sky are now more freĀ¬
quently seen on the large inland lakes
than on coastal waters where in earlier
times sailing was commonplace.
With the formation this year of
Carolina Sailing Club, there began an
organized sailing program in the
central part of the state which is atĀ¬
tracting much interest. Although only
a few months old. the club has over SO
members and a fleet of over 40 boats.
But interest in the club activities is
not confined to its membership. Nearly
everyone is attracted by the grace and
beauty of sail boats; and spectators,
as well as participants, enjoy the exĀ¬
citement of sail boat racing.
A revival of interest in sailing among
Tar Heels is long overdue. Prior to
World War 11 there was considerable
sailing activity at Morehead City.
Wrightsvillc Beach. Elizabeth City and
other places on the coast; but during
the last decade (except for the excelĀ¬
lent sailing programs of the summer
camps) sailing in the eastern part of
the state reached a low ebb. High speed
outboard motors and water skiing atĀ¬
tracted many youngsters who might
otherwise have learned to sail. Only
recently have there been indications
of a renewed interest in sailing along
the coast.
For several years, however, sails
have been a familiar sight in the PiedĀ¬
mont ā on Kerr Reservoir, High Rock
Lake, and at Greensboro on Lake
Brandt and Lake Jeannette. This perĀ¬
sistent interest led to the formation of
Carolina Sailing Club.
Each month this club holds a regatta
for its members and their guests. So
far, all of these events have been held
at Saitcrwhitc Point on Kerr Reservoir,
near Henderson. The regattas are held
on week-ends, and usually consist of
races on Saturday afternoon, an outĀ¬
door club supper on Saturday evening,
and races on Sunday afternoon.
The races consist of class and handiĀ¬
cap races over courses varying from
six to eleven miles. In the class races,
boats of identical design, such as
Snipes. Comets, Hamptons, Blue Jays,
Lightnings and Moths race against
others of their respective class. In
the handicap races, all boats, regardĀ¬
less of class, start at the same time
and race against each other, but the
boats arc rated by the use of a formula
which reflects length and sail area,
and the results are determined on the
basis of corrected time.
In contrast to the keen competition
of racing, club cruises offer the reĀ¬
laxation of leisurely sailing and an opĀ¬
portunity for sociable "get-togethers.ā
The skippers vary greatly in age and
sailing experience. Some have sailed
most of their lives and sailing is a part
of living so far as they are concerned.
Some arc business and professional
men who have found in sailing ideal
relaxation from exacting office rouĀ¬
tines. Some are youngsters in ScoutĀ¬
ing organizations which recognize the
great value of this sport in teaching
self-reliance, the making of quick deĀ¬
cisions, and safety afloat. But all have
a very special feeling about sailing and
a close fellowship with others who sail.
Whether their boats are driving to
windward in a fresh breeze, heeled
far over and flinging spray high over
the bow, or sailing before a fair wind
in a remote world of blue water and
white clouds where the only sound is
the gurgle of water creaming past the
hull, or ghosting into a mooring at the
end of a fine day on the W'ater, they
know that this is the sport for them.
They hope and believe that an inĀ¬
creasing number of Tar Heels will be
sailing with them.
sailing days are back
but strange as it seem.s, the sail boat
is returning to fresh water and not
to the eoastal areas
