Fun Daze at Kerr Dam 2005:
WARNING—This article will not help you sail faster or outwit the competition. Not all Albacore sailing has to be serious. (Somebody calm Barney down and give him another beer.) Or, as Mr. Toad’s friend Ratty put it, "There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."Forty-plus Albacore sailors and family members from the Potomac River Albacore Fleet spent the weekend of June 18-19 messing about in North Carolina’s Kerr Lake at PRAF’s annual Fun Daze event. Despite sometimes-fluky winds and less than optimal latrine facilities, the event was a rousing success.
After decades at County Line Park, the event moved this year to a group campsite at Henderson Point—cutting the cost for campers who wanted to be sure of getting a spot but did not wish to reserve an individual site for the entire week. The setting was beautiful and featured two sandy beaches for boat launching, swimming, and fishing. The group venue encouraged socializing and worked particularly well for the dozen children, who ranged in age from toddlers to teens.
The Fun Daze racing activities got off to a LeMans start Saturday morning and progressed (devolved?) to crew swapping, backwards sailing, child towing, and relay racing. On a more serious note, Bill Kleystuber held a capsize drill on Sunday. No camp can be without arts and crafts, so Greg Hooper (“Hoop”) conducted a class in line splicing during some drizzle on Sunday morning.
Evening activities around the campfire included Pirate Night on Friday, with contests for best pirate name, pirate costume, and pirate imitation. The board of judges (average age about 8) bestowed the prizes for names on Captain Hookworm (Dustin Hays), Pirate Bill Gates Who Steals Software from the Poor (George Wirth), and Captain Larrrrrs (Lars Rathjen). The concept of pirate costume was interpreted rather loosely—just what were Darth Vader (Cindy Gady) and a 3-ft. tall Power Ranger (aka George Wirth’s grandson) doing among sailors? It didn’t matter, especially when they put on a fine display of swordsmanship.
There was more fun Saturday night, when funds left over from paying for the site were used to provide a barbeque dinner. With Hoop as Master of Ceremonies (Ringmaster?) there were more awards, such as "Camper with the Most Legs" (Dustin’s dog Matilda).
Besides the organized activities, there was ample time for recreational sailing. Some campers, such as Bill K, Bill Buck, and Lars and Janet Rathjen, favored early morning cruises. The winds were moderate to good on Thursday and Friday. Faced with light winds on Saturday afternoon, campers switched to other activities—socializing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and a children’s scavenger hunt.
On Sunday morning, there was enough wind to complete the Fundaze races, and numerous boats set out on a long sail. However, by mid-afternoon the sky turned dark and a squall came up. While several boats were going over in the gusts, Diane and Bob Goebes ran downwind at warp speed to the shelter of the Carolina Sailing Club’s cove. Eventually, all made it safely back to camp.
This was a memorable occasion. Put it on your calendar for next year! -- June 15-19, 2006
Bob Goebes