On account of a later start and cool conditions I opted for a paddle in Cole Creek today, and enjoyed exploring the shoreline at low tide. I was a bit limited in the back of the creek by the water depth, but still managed to get a nice quick lap in.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Monday, April 27, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took a nice lap this evening up to Sandgates Inn & back - pretty weather and a gorgeous sunset, a great evening to be out there!
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Pacing Cheetah at the start
Due to a last minute opportunity I hopped on Red Baron today with James for the SMSA double hander. We left the dock in sporty conditions, and motored out to a start off PR3. RC (also Red Baron crew) sent us on a river course, and we started on a deep reach to T. We gybed around the mark and headed up on a close reach to V, followed by a run to K. I made some mediocre choices on the run, but didn't lose much time. The last leg was a close reach to the finish, and I paced a J/33 & J/35 nearly the whole way. We managed 3rd overall, and had a blast doing it. Glad we were able to race today.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Back in her natural habitat
I spent much of the afternoon getting my new boat, recently named "Dire Straits" after what she was saved from, ready to splash this evening. I rigged up and headed to the neighborhood ramp, and dropped the boat in. Not finding any catastrophic leaks, I proceeded to push off the dock and after a bit of trouble managed to make my way out of the inlet and into the river. I sailed an easy reach about a mile out, and set a course for a reach back. The current in the river pushed me up, and I had to tack a couple times to make the harbor. I finally made it in after a messy landing. The boat performed great, any issues I had were entirely operator error. Much practice to do, but I think I'll really enjoy sailing this little boat.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
A competitive downwind leg
Hopped on the safety boat for Thursday night RC this evening. We checked on a capsized Laser right out of the harbor, then milled around for much of the race and took pictures of the competitors. We did have to perform one rescue at the end, as a cold, tired sailor struggled to get back on his boat. A gorgeous evening with a great sunset and a nice way to unwind after a busy week.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
A close finish with Diablo
Out on Red Baron for another Wednesday race. We had 5 crew today, one of the better teams we've staffed this season. Conditions were above the #1 in the pre-start as we practiced some tacks & gybes, but they calmed by race time and made the genoa the right choice. We sailed out to K in moderate breeze that started to die as we got there (as is typical) - I pinched up to the mark and just managed to keep enough momentum on to squeeze the boat around. Not a pretty rounding, but it got the job done. Once again called for a bear away set when we needed a gybe set, but stayed to the center of the course anyway and sailed a clean downwind leg. A shift at the end allowed Diablo to squeeze in and force a gybe right at the finish. Another 5th place this week, B Fleet is a tough place to be.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Peaceful morning on the river
I had a busy day on the schedule, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a paddle in on such a gorgeous day. Headed out in glassy conditions for a run down to St. Thomas Creek. Enjoyed a spectacular morning view and surprisingly warm conditions.
Friday, April 17, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Enjoyed yesterday's sunset paddle so much I decided to do it again - this time a very short ride around Cole Creek. Didn't even unload the board as I'll be back out in the morning.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Sunset over Cole Creek
Got a quick sunset paddle in off Cole Creek after helping paint the pool. Paddled south a little past the end of the neighborhood and then back up. I think I'm really going to love having a boat ramp right in the neighborhood!
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
A very light spinnaker reach to the finish
Out on Red Baron for another Wednesday. Light-ish conditions at the start, and I quickly decided to favor the right side of the course for better breeze. The plan worked out, and we led our class to the top mark. I called a bearaway set, but conditions favored a gybe set. Unfortunately we couldn't hold our pace downhill, as conditions got light and the fleet caught back up to us. Another 5th place today, but beautiful conditions and overall clean boat handling given we only had 3 crew.