Emerald photo
Sailing offers a reality separate from everyday existence, and for the
hardy, a cool breeze and a light sprinkling of rain provide a peaceful
atmosphere.
Sailing offers escape
By LORRAINE NELSON
Of the Emerald
For some people, sailing is a
separate reality, an escape
from the mundane. For others,
it is a sport, the thrill of a race,
competition. For all, it requires
a certain amount of skill.
Sailing is a challenge, an in
vitation to remain primitive in a
civilized world. Navigating by
the speed and direction of the
wind and the shape of a sail
offers, to the successful, the ul
timate natural high.
To be rocked by a bed of
water appeals to the mellow of
mind and body and to view
nothing but the sky and the
tree-laden hills of Oregon ap
peals to all.
Dexter Lake, about 12 miles
southeast of Eugene, is one of
the most popular spots in the
area for sailing. The lake is
home for the University Sailing
Club.
Of the 66 club members,
most are in their early 20s.
Many started in the
University’s beginning sailing
class.
Club commodore James
Taylor demonstrates his sail
ing skill as he executes a ma
neuver that leans a 14-foot
C-Lark up until the bottom is
exposed. “Hiking out” over the
edge of the boat, Taylor uses
his weight to keep the boat
under control He smiles confi
dently and then chatters about
the club.
Since its beginning, the club
has lacked any formal organi
zation. There are no group ac
tivities, and few communica
tions between members.
The sailing organization
raises most of its money by
teaching beginning sailing, rac
ing and cruising classes at the
University.
Coming about now, Taylor
lets the sails luff. He curses
when motorboat waves disturb
the smoothness of the voyage.
Do all sailors hate motor
boats?
“Probably not as passion
ately as I do,” Taylor says.
“I like it (sailing) best when it
is cloudy, there is a light drizzle
and the wind is blowing about
five knots,” Taylor says. “It’s
peaceful and quiet.”
It is a combination of clouds
and rain that keeps many a fair
weather boater off the lake dur
ing the rainy season. Summer
sailing is crowded at the lake
with winds blowing steadily
8-10 miles per hour from the
north. But during the year, to
see anyone else on the lake is
rare, Taylor says.
Some sailing experience is a
prerequisite to join the club and
interested persons may enter
as a mate or a skipper.
Mates must handle a boat
adequately, tie knots and avoid
crashing into the dock.
Superior boat-handling skill
is required to enter the club as
a skipper. Skippers must know
the name of everything on the
boat and be able to tie even
more knots than mates.
Taylor can not say why he is
the adamant sailor he is, but he
describes sailors as “different
people.”
“They’re not as hyper (as
others), they’re calm,” he says.
For more information or to
join the club, contact Taylor at
345-2896 or Carl Hosticka at
726-5451.
Page 10 Section B
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