Ships Ahoy

It was my first time to board the 45-footer yacht "Challenge" for a competitive race last weekend and it was AWESOME! I was able to cruise with it last year around Manila Bay amidst funky weather but this race in Subic was a totally different experience.

half of the crew
Attendance: Martin, Spain, Gelo, Lou, Del, Obi, Paul, Geenie, Vince, Mang Pi, Mang Eddie, Mario

The Indpendence Day Regatta 2008 (Commodore's Cup) was held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club and the motley crew of "Challenge" including version 2 of the kamote crew (that's me, Lou, and Del - the Boylets, sabi nga ni Genie... Jinni... Geeny?? how to spell that?) were realistically inadequate since Day 1 but hopes and efforts were still high. The event was held for two days with two race categories per day (a Windward-Leeward race and the other Point-to-Point ba??). There were several yachts and dinghies of all sizes. "Challenge" was among the biggest that day.

Day 1
Without Martin around, the cruiser was more undermanned. Right then, we knew we'll see more action aboard aside from our usual job as human ballasts. Me and the boylets exchanged parts on grinding the sheets for the sail and man it was not easy! Despite that, we were honoured and elated to actually have a part in the race regardless of how we sucked on doing that. Konting praktis pa.

some rest, before the next race
That day was so so. We were not expecting to even grab a good place out of only 4 yachts on our category but to hope was for naught anyway since all participants except for one was declared DNF (Did Not Finish) for some funky coordinates changes which was announced inappropriately through *drum roll please* TEXT message. Hehe. E bawal nga dapat mag text sa karera di ba. Ika nga ni Homer Simpson, "DOPE!"

We headed to shore around 10AM and "Challenge" was docked around 4:30-ish in the afternoon na. Pizza, sausages, chikken, liempo, and beer was served on the yacht as we wait for further notices from the committee.

That night, we had foot massage and I (or at least my feet) was literally mangled by this gynormous lady in the massage parlor. I was either cringing in pain or snorting to prevent myself from bursting in laughter. Kakahiya tuloy sa mga katabi ko. Mas lalo yatang na-stress kesa ma-relax. Lakas pa ng boses ni Gelo! Earlier that night, he met a cute friend who plays frisbee. Chinky! Pwedeeee. But the meeting was abrupt dahil papamasahe pa nga kami. Zog.

We stayed in this hotel near Pier One in the hopes that we can go out and party so at least when we get zonked, the crawl to our sleeping place won't be that far. BUT the moment our bodies hit the sheets, ayun diretso sa nyunyu-land. Zzzz-time!

Day 2
Martin was there now. And the competitive spirit grew a notch higher. Dito kami natuto (at natusta) ng sobra.

For me, I've been familiarized with how the dynamics of the crew should be. Ganun pala talaga kahalaga ang teamwork sa karera ng yate. It's not a basketball game that a Kobe Bryant could literally bear the team by himself with 40 points a game. Here, a highly experienced individual is nothing without a cohesive crew. It's a game of trust, mental agility, and teamwork. Dito ko naramdaman yung pagod. Pero dito ko din naramdaman na every effort's worth it. Definitely iL sail more.

The day did not end without its quirks. There was a missing buoy that delayed our run. But still we were able to finish ahead of everybody else. But again, there was also the factor of yacht classes to consider. "Challenge" was giving "time plusses" for the participating smaller yachts. In the end, we got it on the third spot.

we love the winch!
The event was capped with the awarding ceremonies. Dinner ensued as a local band played while reeeaaally cooool pictures of the two-day race were being displayed in a slide show. Dito ko na-appreciate lalo ang sailing from the perspective of an observer. Kapag nandun ka kasi sa karera, mawawala for a while yung sense of chillax mo. You'll always be or have to be aware of what's happening around you.

Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa mga nagtatanong, sailing is not about the glamour you have in mind na chill lang, hilata with champagne bottles and all that glittery fantasies. You don't sail just to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Every man aboard has a purpose and it drains energy, reeks of sweat, burns skin and muscles, and requires every ounce of effort your aching body can give. If sailing a yacht is glam then I don't think the dugyot we were after the race wasn't sailing at all.

Now I know how pirates feel. Arr!

Thanks mucho goes to...
Banana Boat Gelo, for the invite;
Paul the Grind Master, for the tips and tricks we learned;
Martin, for yet another opportunity to man the "Challenge";
Commodress Jinny, for the grub and grog (nalasing kami ng paulet-ulet!);
Captain Spain, aye Capt'n!

*****
More pictures on my Multiply site:
ID Regatta 08 (Click Me)

...and a video clip too:
ID Regatta 08 Awarding Ceremony (Click Here)

Ships Ahoy

It was my first time to board the 45-footer yacht "Challenge" for a competitive race last weekend and it was AWESOME! I was able to cruise with it last year around Manila Bay amidst funky weather but this race in Subic was a totally different experience.

half of the crew
Attendance: Martin, Spain, Gelo, Lou, Del, Obi, Paul, Geenie, Vince, Mang Pi, Mang Eddie, Mario

The Indpendence Day Regatta 2008 (Commodore's Cup) was held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club and the motley crew of "Challenge" including version 2 of the kamote crew (that's me, Lou, and Del - the Boylets, sabi nga ni Genie... Jinni... Geeny?? how to spell that?) were realistically inadequate since Day 1 but hopes and efforts were still high. The event was held for two days with two race categories per day (a Windward-Leeward race and the other Point-to-Point ba??). There were several yachts and dinghies of all sizes. "Challenge" was among the biggest that day.

Day 1
Without Martin around, the cruiser was more undermanned. Right then, we knew we'll see more action aboard aside from our usual job as human ballasts. Me and the boylets exchanged parts on grinding the sheets for the sail and man it was not easy! Despite that, we were honoured and elated to actually have a part in the race regardless of how we sucked on doing that. Konting praktis pa.

some rest, before the next race
That day was so so. We were not expecting to even grab a good place out of only 4 yachts on our category but to hope was for naught anyway since all participants except for one was declared DNF (Did Not Finish) for some funky coordinates changes which was announced inappropriately through *drum roll please* TEXT message. Hehe. E bawal nga dapat mag text sa karera di ba. Ika nga ni Homer Simpson, "DOPE!"

We headed to shore around 10AM and "Challenge" was docked around 4:30-ish in the afternoon na. Pizza, sausages, chikken, liempo, and beer was served on the yacht as we wait for further notices from the committee.

That night, we had foot massage and I (or at least my feet) was literally mangled by this gynormous lady in the massage parlor. I was either cringing in pain or snorting to prevent myself from bursting in laughter. Kakahiya tuloy sa mga katabi ko. Mas lalo yatang na-stress kesa ma-relax. Lakas pa ng boses ni Gelo! Earlier that night, he met a cute friend who plays frisbee. Chinky! Pwedeeee. But the meeting was abrupt dahil papamasahe pa nga kami. Zog.

We stayed in this hotel near Pier One in the hopes that we can go out and party so at least when we get zonked, the crawl to our sleeping place won't be that far. BUT the moment our bodies hit the sheets, ayun diretso sa nyunyu-land. Zzzz-time!

Day 2
Martin was there now. And the competitive spirit grew a notch higher. Dito kami natuto (at natusta) ng sobra.

For me, I've been familiarized with how the dynamics of the crew should be. Ganun pala talaga kahalaga ang teamwork sa karera ng yate. It's not a basketball game that a Kobe Bryant could literally bear the team by himself with 40 points a game. Here, a highly experienced individual is nothing without a cohesive crew. It's a game of trust, mental agility, and teamwork. Dito ko naramdaman yung pagod. Pero dito ko din naramdaman na every effort's worth it. Definitely iL sail more.

The day did not end without its quirks. There was a missing buoy that delayed our run. But still we were able to finish ahead of everybody else. But again, there was also the factor of yacht classes to consider. "Challenge" was giving "time plusses" for the participating smaller yachts. In the end, we got it on the third spot.

we love the winch!
The event was capped with the awarding ceremonies. Dinner ensued as a local band played while reeeaaally cooool pictures of the two-day race were being displayed in a slide show. Dito ko na-appreciate lalo ang sailing from the perspective of an observer. Kapag nandun ka kasi sa karera, mawawala for a while yung sense of chillax mo. You'll always be or have to be aware of what's happening around you.

Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa mga nagtatanong, sailing is not about the glamour you have in mind na chill lang, hilata with champagne bottles and all that glittery fantasies. You don't sail just to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Every man aboard has a purpose and it drains energy, reeks of sweat, burns skin and muscles, and requires every ounce of effort your aching body can give. If sailing a yacht is glam then I don't think the dugyot we were after the race wasn't sailing at all.

Now I know how pirates feel. Arr!

Thanks mucho goes to...
Banana Boat Gelo, for the invite;
Paul the Grind Master, for the tips and tricks we learned;
Martin, for yet another opportunity to man the "Challenge";
Commodress Jinny, for the grub and grog (nalasing kami ng paulet-ulet!);
Captain Spain, aye Capt'n!

*****
More pictures on my Multiply site:
ID Regatta 08 (Click Me)

...and a video clip too:
ID Regatta 08 Awarding Ceremony (Click Here)