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| OHCC LIVING | JUNE 2023 | 49 After a dismal March, we are roaring back with almost all sails in April going ahead as scheduled. It has been chilly and blustery, but not enough to wipe the smiles from the faces of our "salty" sailors! We have had some great reaches out past Point Loma and winds gusting above 15 knots giving our sailors some real experience with weather helm and gunnels in the water. As always, many navy ships and a sub leaving the ballast point sub pen have been spotted by our sailors. The club's training program has kicked off with a bang. Dave Ramgren, our Education Coordinator, has conducted several seafaring knot tying classes for our membership in addition to arranging very informative professional presentations – one on local wind and weather patterns and seamanship by NOAA meteorologist, James Brotherton; and another on coexisting with the U.S. Navy, commercial and cruise ship activity in our harbor and deep-water shipping lanes by Louis Castagnola, the Navy's chief harbor pilot in San Diego. The classes were very informative and open to all club members. Dave is working on bringing additional programs to bear with the aim of elevating members' awareness of what is involved with sail planning and developing members' sailing skills so they may participate in sailing our boats. Forrest Newburg, a past club Commodore, arranged a wonderful day of sailing on the Californian, a replica of a fast "revenue" schooner that served in smuggling interdiction back in the "old days." Forty members of our club had exclusive access to the Californian enjoying a four-hour sail on a cold and blowy day that probably harkened back to the way it was in 1848 when the original Californian was launched. Needless to say, we had our modern-day foul weather gear to protect us from the elements. Club members had the opportunity to raise the sails, which was not an easy task on such a large boat, and to learn from the ship's docent and crew members. As many of our readers know, the club is always looking for new members who are interested in becoming Captains and Mates. As our Fleet Captain, Charlie Cappello, has stated "if you have some sailing experience and/or are able bodied and willing to learn, we are here for you!" In addition to our in-house and on-the-job training, Charlie can guide you to enroll in a basic two-day keelboat- sailing training class at Harbor Island Yacht Club. But remember, all of us can enjoy our time on the water, and you do not have to be a Captain or Mate or help sail the boat. You can just sit back and enjoy the sail and the wind in your face! Last, it is with great sadness that I must share with you the loss of one of our greatest supporters and advocates, Captain Hal Bolton. Hal was a long-time member of our club and was the first Captain I sailed with. I recall there was a sailboat our size and on the same course abeam of us. Hal stood up and announced with great enthusiasm "we have a race." Please take a moment of silence to wish our friend, Captain Hal Bolton, fair winds and following seas and to offer our heartfelt condolences to Hal's wife, Nancy, and their family. Fair winds and following seas to all our sailors and followers. Sailing Club