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| OHCC LIVING | OCTOBER 2024 | 39 It was a hot blustery day. Our valiant crew boarded "Incommunicado," its mighty sailing vessel. With all aboard the captain slowly backed Incommunicado out of its finger slip and headed to the channel. Our bow lookout yelled, "Clear to port and clear starboard," as we turned into the channel. With a north wind blowing, our craft was pointed into the wind and so we hoisted the mighty mains'l with one crew member on the halyard at the mast and one hauling in the line at the winch. As the channel f lowed westward, the First Mate unfurled the billowing genoa, and our fabled Captain turned off our motor while we sailed into the harbor. Greeted by a modest chop, Incommunicado slowly heeled to port as we were on a starboard tack pointing on a close reach. The wind speed increased as we made way toward the Navy sub pen. With our speed picking up, we fell off the wind to a broad reach heading due south for open water. The ocean greeted us with even higher 15- knot winds, and a boiling white cap covered chop atop 4-to-5-foot swells running close together. Incommunicado' s bow rose and fell up and down the swells. The crew in the cockpit ducked from the swirling spray. The further past the "point" we went, the stronger the wind gusts, the mightier the swells and frothier the swirling white caps became. Captain asked the crew, "Shall we return to the harbor?" The crew gave an assertive, "No!" A distant fog bank hid the Coronado's from view. Once five miles out, one of the crew on lookout yelled, "I can see one of the islands!" We all looked, smiled ecstatically, and unanimously decided it was time to return home. Our Captain gave the order, "Prepare to tack." The crew responded, "Ready on the port /ready on the starboard," and the Captain carefully assessed the approaching rollers. As we fell into a trough he barked, "Helm to lee," and slowly turned the bow to starboard. As our vessel turned through the wind Captain yelled, "Break." The port side jib sheet was released while the starboard jib sheet was hauled in. Captain yelled, "Four wraps on the winch and haul it in tight with the winch handle." Incommunicado, our Captain and our First Mate brought us back safely under the forces of mother nature and high seas. Everyone screamed, "Another wonderful day on the ocean." Ahhh! The lure of the seas! You can be in a story just like this one. Simply join the Sailing Club on or after Oct. 1 and your membership will carry through the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. There are sails scheduled in October and yet to be scheduled sails in November and you will be able to attend the club's annual gala – the Great Gatsby – a roaring 20s themed dress- up dinner / dance at the member rate, being orchestrated by our esteemed "lead f lapper," Laura Carlson, and her staff. Written By Commodore Skip Maniscalco and Edited By Kathy C. Maniscalco Sailing Club If you are looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, and a way to increase flexibility and balance, then Tai Chi exercise may be just what the doctor ordered. Originally, Tai Chi was developed for self-defense, but has evolved into a graceful form of exercise. Some describe it as meditation in motion because it promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Tai Chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. Tai Chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. It is especially suitable for older adults who otherwise may not exercise. The benefits of Tai Chi may include: decreased stress, improved mood, increased energy, improved flexibility, balance, and agility, and improved muscle strength. OHCC offers a free Tai Chi class each Tuesday and Thursday, 9 to 10 am, in the Abravenal Hall. Each class is led by a video presentation that lasts about 45 minutes. For more information, please contact Mary Ross at (760) 295-9979 or mk1ross@cox.net. Tai Chi

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