What He Learned After 101 Days on the Water
We asked first-time SpinSheet Century Club member Steven Birchfield to share a bit about his journey as he logged 101 days on the water within the calendar year. The word “micro-vacation” stands out as a great reason to challenge yourself to get on the water more often, doesn’t it? Read on…
What motivated you this year to get out there?
I bought my own boat last year and didn’t get out on the water as much as I wanted. When I learned about your Century Club, I thought, "Hey, that’s a great idea to get more time on the water!" I am a goal-oriented person, so when I set 100 outings as my goal, it became an obsession to find time to get out there.
Late in the season I started racing my boat in my local club Southern Maryland Sailing Association where I was able to bring fou other people new to the sport out on the water to crew for me. We ended up taking 1st place in Non-spin. Not a bad way to start my racing program!
Can you share three highlights from the season?
1) Racing with Team Cheetah. Learning from great sailors like Will Keyworth, Marc Briere, and Russell Miller. I was able to apply what I learned while racing the mid/long distance races aboard Cheetah to skippering my own boat, and the passing on the knowledge to my crew. To me it was like learning a new trade and then involving your kids in your work and watching them pick up a love for it as you do.
2) The first time I set out to start racing my Person 31-2, I couldn't find crew... anywhere. So my 10-year-old son Tommy Birchfield was my only crew (he was volen-told). We were able to doublehand the boat around the race course and make it back to the dock safely in 16 kts of breeze! Talk about a proud father! Tommy was skirting the genoa, trimming the main, and smiling the whole time. When we got back to the club house for race results, you would have thought we had won the CUP after hearing the cheers for Tommy crewing!
3) Being awarded 1st place Non-Spin for Series B in the Wednesday night races at SMSA. I decided to play it safe and not run a spinnaker for a new crew. I didn’t expect at any point we would end up in FIRST! Since then, we've been going out every week and working on sail trim and tactics preparing for next year!
Did you experience any scary days (storms, emergencies, etc)?
Yes, the first was after the last race this year. I was backing down the fairway and into the slip. Once in the slip I usually "bump it" into forward to stop the boat before hitting the dock. I tell the crew not to "stop me" by pulling on the bow lines...
When I went to put the transmission in forward... snap... the cable breaks! All of a sudden I shout..." stop me! stop me!" We got lucky it happened at the dock and not out in the river! Then about two weeks ago we were out practicing in a good 22-knt breeze. We managed to get the boat going 8.3 kts upwind! But not without a ton of weather helm... we were probably moments from being out of control! Dumped the main and footed off, we were under control and life was good again.
Favorite wildlife sightings?
Dolphins off of Drum Point!
Did you take any newcomers out sailing or doing some other kind of boating?
Yes, my whole crew is new and excited to race! I had the approach of "we probably won’t win tonight guys, but we’re going to have a fun time getting there!"
Surprising everyone kept coming back each week! My mainsail trimmer Garrett Emerick has taking to sailing hard core! He signed up for Sail Solomons classes and is working on the ASA online courses! I'm always looking to bring people out sailing. It's where I get to be me.
What did you get out of being on the water so much?
Experience, a clear head, fun. When I’m out sailing, it becomes a micro-vacation. In that time nothing else matters.
What would you recommend to someone considering the 2020 Century Club?
Find any excuse to get on the water. Even if it’s only for a moment. We all are super busy with life, so take a moment to adjust your sails and reset your course..
