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*Unedited version
published by The Star-News on June 6, 2003
The Chula Vista Yacht Club's Juniors Sailing Program
by J.D. Hawk
The Chula Vista Yacht Club is starting their 13th season registration for their Juniors
Sailing Program. This non-profit organization, which many proudly refers to as the
"working man's yacht club," helps youth ages 10 to 18 get involved with
sailing different boats such as Lidos, Laser, Holder Hawks, and even a Catalina 27.
Although the program is open to children of CVYC. members, it has traditionally worked
with the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department and the Boys & Girls Club
to target youth of different backgrounds who may not have considered sailing boats.
The goal is to help them learn self-confidence, team building and positive group
interaction. Among the fortunate is Chula Vista High's Ruben Covarrubias. "I
used to get into a lot of fights. They kicked me out of every school in the district,"
Covarrubias said. "I was working at the Boys Club when they told me about this
program."
Since then, Covarrabias has been involved with the Yacht Club and has managed to
stay out of trouble for two years. The elvish grin that slowly crosses his face from
time to time, however, betrayes possible mischievious thoughts. "What do you
expect? He's a high school senior," Donna Hale, the Rear Commodore of the CVYC
said. This remarkable turn-around in life Covarrabias attributes to keeping busy
with the club, filling his Saturdays with productive activities and hanging out with
his teammates Zachary, 16, and Rainbow Stanich, 17, (brother and sister) who have
also been involved with the program for over four years. "I like to call them
my Senior Juniors," Hale said. "Zachary and Rainbow have been with us for
so long I have given them a category all to themselves."
In demonstration, Covarrabias, Zachary and Rainbow work confidently together sorting
through all the ropes, lines, and sails preparing for their excursion. Like professionals,
they gather all the necessary equipment for their boats from the locker room, only
pausing occasionally to double check an item and tease each other. But in these professionals
still remains the glimmer of childhood as they enjoy joking about "water fights."
In these unofficial games, they try to splash each other with seawater or ideally
flip their friend over capsizing boat. This may explain two of the rules: you need
to know how to swim to be accepted and you must bring an extra set of clothes. All
members are also taught how to right themselves if they ever are capsized. Sinking
isn't an issue as all the boats used are filled with unsinkable Styrofoam.
After following all the safety precautions, the trio take off in their boats across
the marina. Zachary and Covarrubias share their faster Laser boat and Rainbow treads
behind in her slower Holder Hawk, all the while pleading for fair sportsmanship.
"We're going as slow as we can. We can't go any slower," her brother shouts
back, perhaps a little too unconvincing. Rainbow isn't shook up though. After all,
she had to remind her brother how to tie a specialty knot he'd apparently forgotten.
The three demonstrate their skills for the half hour, showing their excellent handling
ability managing their sails to manipulate the wind for power before coming back
in.
Greg Vach, who is charge of public relations for the program, explains all the basics
of the class which included why the laser boat is faster "The sail is bigger
on the laser [not a clear observation to the untrained eye] and it's longer. The
longer you make a boat, the faster it will go. That's kind of a general rule."
Vach also explained the importance of learning the vocabulary of the class. "You
really need to know what all the names [of the equipment] are. If you're out on a
boat and your friends tells you to 'move that stick thing' or 'watch out for that
stick,' it may cause some problems."
Especially if that "stick thing" happens to be a boom. The boom, which
is connected to the sail, has a habit of swinging around, knocking the rider in the
head.
Vach also expained the importance of rigging/unrigging and cleaning everything afterwards
that was in contact with the salt water.
The 2003 Junior Sailing Program costs $12 and begins June 25. The length of the class
has not been yet been confirmed, but should run six to eight weeks. Although many
participants will be contacted by the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department,
it is opened to the public (ages10-18) on a first come, first serve basis. Call the
Chula Vista Yacht Club at 422-7888.
Although Covarrabias is no longer public enemy number one and is even in the process
of enlisting with the Navy, when asked if he ever causes trouble anymore he responded
only in silence-- An elvish grin slowly crossed his face. "What do you expect?
He's a senior in high school!" Hale said.
Contact J.D. Hawk |
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