Great Winds & High Spirits for Pumpkin Day 2004!

Story by Mark Barr

 

This years Pumpkin Day sail at the Thermalito Forebay was scheduled on Halloween Day.  North winds were forecast in the 10 ? 20 mile per hour range.  Hopes were high for a good morning of pumpkin racing and an afternoon frolicking on the Forebay with our ?real? boats.  We were not to be disappointed.

Folks started arriving around 9:30 or so.  There were four boats in attendance, but 21 people in total.  Many came out on this blustery day to enjoy this ?kids day? carving pumpkins into boat hulls and attaching paper plates, shish ka bob sticks, aluminum cans and string to form spars, sails and rudders.  Children and adults worked side by side constructing and racing their ?boats?.  We shared cupcakes and other snacks while we worked.  It was great fun.

At the "kids" table was (L. to R.) Chris Barr, Will Sevdy, Eric Marazzo, Grant Barr and Jeffrey Parish.

At the adult table was Ann-Marie Alvister, Mike Peavy, Durl VanAlstyne and Sandy Fisher.

 

Since the wind was coming out of the north, racers carried their "boats" around to the north side of the little cove near the docks. We all lined up shoulder-to-shoulder and launched on the call of "ready, set, go". In no time all, pumpkins were wandering all over. Most eventually made it to the finish line, but some were swamped by the 2-3 inch shop. Racers were given a short time to tune their boats between races (mostly rudder adjustments and shortening sail). A total of three races were completed, with Leanne Sevdy sitting at one end of the finish line to record the results of each race.

Only the stout of heart would wade into the icy cold waters of the Forebay. Our enthusiasm kept us toasty warm.

 

After three pumpkin races, an awards ceremony was conducted under the Aquatic Center Ramada.  First place went to Eric Marazzo, second to Grant Barr and third to first time pumpkin racer Jeffrey Parrish.  They were each awarded a cool Halloween mug full of candy and Eric took home the perpetual Pumpkin Day trophy.  Folks posed for a group photo and I retired to rig my Thistle for some great sailing.  Just before launching, I got a few snapshots of Dave Neilsen and Doug sailing Dave?s Windmill.  I also got a shot of Paul Melcon and his crew Cindy Richards sailing Paul?s Prindle 18-2 catamaran.  They were really flying!

Dave Neilsen & Doug McWilliams went out first. Paul Melcon & Cindy Richards followed shortly later.

I sailed my Thistle, Pink Slip, with Don Barr (my Dad) and Jody Christopherson crewing.  My Dad had been sailing in my boat twice but had never been out in planing conditions.  He kept saying things like, ?Wow.  This thing really moves, doesn?t it??  I had my camera in the pocket of my life preserver, but never had time to take it out and take pictures on the water.  I had to pay attention to constant adjustments of sails, tiller, vang and centerboard.  Getting the camera out never entered my mind.

We were sailing upwind on the west end of the Forebay just ahead of Dave?s Windmill when his jib suddenly came down half way.  Apparently the halyard had broken.  They got the jib down and decided enough was enough.  At the time the wind had built to a solid 20+.  We went on down to the bridge and turned around for one last blast broad reaching back.  It was fantastic.  All three of us were sitting as far back in the boat as possible and the boat was blasting along on a raging plane, with the bow almost a foot in the air.  Water was spraying out on both sides of the bow and the steering was feather light and balanced.  What a ride!

We docked and put the boat back on the trailer, shaking our heads and smiling.  Everyone agreed that the day had been quite memorable.  We took our time derigging with our friends, sharing snacks, beverages and stories from our day.  Everyone agreed that this had been an epic day of sailing but not such a great day to take young kids out.  Of course they were disappointed, but I assured them that I would take them all out soon when the weather allowed them to enjoy the experience safely.  I figured it would only take one windy disaster to ruin their futures as sailors.  What a waste that would be.

These photos are worth the proverbial thousand words. Jeff Parrish (right) was so proud of his pumpkin, he insisted on taking it home.