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Community Boating Center of New Bedford joined us
for a brisk sail from New Bedford to Padanaram
Harbor today. We sailed out at 1300 into
southerly winds, so the trip down was a motor
sail—all hands helped raise the fore and
jumbo, working and singing along with the rhythm
of Tom Goux’s sea chanteys. Our
destination was a sailing scrimmage (sailing is
now a varsity sport in some local high schools)
between students of New Bedford and the Bishop
Stang School. We dropped anchor at about 1430,
and our 46 passengers enjoyed watching the
students race in 420’s. Crew member
"Frankie" Crawford offered
‘blow-by-blow’ commentary for all three
races.
Students from the Nativity Preparatory School
served delicious food, and a silent auction drew
bidding wars to augment fundraising efforts for
the Community Boating Center.
Passengers included CBC Board Chair Charlie
VanVoorhees, CBC Executive Director Joann Clarke
as well as Lynn Donahue, entrepreneur and author
of Brick by Brick: A Woman’s Journey (signed
copies of her award-winning, inspiring memoir
were donated for the silent auction).
Our younger passengers learned about
knot-tying, made bracelets, and hunted for parts
of the boat featured in "Mystery
Photos". Tom Goux, Polly Pimentel-Zajac,
Mary Helen Gunn, and other crew members
entertained the passengers with a few sea-songs.
After the races, we weighed anchor for a
peaceful downwind sail back to New Bedford
Harbor. A moment of quiet sailing was punctuated
by a terrific WHOOP as we passed through the
barrier.
This event was a great collaboration between
Ernestina and the Community Boating Center, a
joint effort to promote and enhance youth
experience in sailing. Many thanks to all who
made it possible!
Captain: Amanda Madeira
Program: Coordinator Mary Helen Gunn
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