Kids in Smaller Boats (Wednesday 10/21/09)

I received these photos, taken by s/v 'Third Day', who took them while we were waiting out Jimena in Willard Bay. The kids got together and sailed their dinghies and kayaks. They used bed sheets and improvised rigging. It was so creative and hilarious to watch! They raced each other. Jack on ‘Just A Minute’ took a tumble after a gust and Tim on ‘Windfall’ raced to see if his friend needed help... and he didn't. Carolyne helped out by checking their speed on the handheld GPS. She clocked their sailing at 5 knots.

The thing about boat kids which is so refreshing is that they come up with creative ideas on their own in lieu of watching TV or playing video games. I’m not saying that they don’t EVER watch the boob tube or play video games on their DS or Gameboy handhelds... I’m simply saying that most of their free time is spent doing recreational outdoor or indoor activities.

We parents especially love the fact that the kids can come up with fun group activities that we can turn into home school assignments... teaching them without their knowledge! This sailing activity was an excellent pragmatic lab that taught the physics of wind, direction and speed... not to mention motion and gravity... AND swimming!