When it comes to a body of water, I swim about as well as a rock.
But growing up in Hampton, it is hard to pass up the beautiful treasure in Carter County known as Watauga Lake. The swimming area, the boat pier, fishing, taking off in a kayak or fishing boat, you can’t help but take in Mother Nature’s serenity.
A sailboat, though, was a vessel I never had a chance to ride on, much less learn about the ins and outs of participating in a sailboat race.
The new year often sees people talking about “new year, new me” or coming up with a list of resolutions that maybe sees around half get accomplished. Heading into 2017, my goal was to keep improving as a writer, see what the future has in store and try new things.
And thanks to the Watauga Lake Sailing Club, I had the opportunity to knock an item off the bucket list.
Sunday, the Club offered the annual Frostbite Race, which saw over 14 vessels take to Watauga Lake in the hopes of coming away with first place. Typically with these type of events, it’s easy to stand off to the side, grab a few comments and photos and ride out.
I wanted to take a different angle, and I wanted a chance to learn firsthand what competitive sailing was all about. After hearing STAR writer Bryce Phillips’ experience riding in a boat in 2014, you best believe when the opportunity arose, I was ready to be part of the race.
Enter Billy Becker and Dennis Anthony. I stopped by Lakeshore Marina Saturday and talked with Becker and Rob Remme about the approach it took to get ready for such a unique race. When asked if I wanted to take part, I could’ve done a backflip (don’t think my body can handle that, but you can guess the excitement was there).
Sunday came and walking onto the dock, I talked with Becker and he allowed me the opportunity to get a crash course on the sailing terms and helped with racing his vessel, the Mia Su 2, along with Dennis Anthony, who steered the vessel and was taking part in his fifth race.
But throughout the race, Becker provided key knowledge about nautical terminology. I’m surprised I didn’t get thrown out because of the occasional mental lapses of wrapping a rope clockwise (I blame the new fangled digital clocks). Becker was a great teacher, and helped me learn the ins and outs, and I even had the chance to sit at the front of the vessel with a jibboom attached to the sail as we came back into Lakeshore Marina for a fourth place finish.
The experience was second to none. Learning the proper terms, hearing Becker and Anthony share stories of their times racing, their experiences with the Frostbite itself, was, well, awesome.
While sailing, it was the joy on people’s faces, the fun times shared by all and the incredible scenery on the lake that only reassured the fact that Carter County is a great place to be.
It comes back to the City of Elizabethton and Carter County. Officials have revamped their focus into promoting tourism in the area, and the Watauga Lake Sailing Club is just one of the numerous organizations that keep generating the foot traffic into the area.
During the race, you could spot spectators alongside the road watching the boats duel it out. And following the race, each participant had the chance to enjoy fellowship with one another with a potluck dinner, while sharing tales of their adventures.
The stories. The people. You couldn’t ask for a better group of people. When I made it to Lakeshore, I had the chance to walk down with Clarke Lucas, who talked about his time sailing and all the different events the Club takes part in. Not only races, but the multiple community events to give back to the region.
As we await to see what 2017 has to offer, I see things in a positive light because I have the hope we can work together to make this region even better than it already is. When you have an organization like the Watauga Lake Sailing Club, it always reassures that hope that success is possible.
I want to take time out to thank the members of the Watauga Lake Sailing Club for having me out over the weekend and definitely want to thank Becker and Anthony for not throwing me over.
The Club offers sailing lessons to the public and has a minimal member fee of $40 to participate in all types of fun. Be sure to visit their Facebook page or website online for more information.