@Liisa Reimann someday I’ll be able to go to a camp!

Also would love to connect with anyone who might be going at that time.

I have a few weather situations I have encountered when sailing and dragon boating. 1) Sailing on a small 100 acre lake when the wind died (think calm before the storm). I was trapped in the middle of the lake and had to swim the boat in by kicking in the back while my husband paddled in front with his arms). The lake safety boat should have seen this and come to get us but did not. 2) Dragon boating in dense fog when Good Morning America came to do a piece on us (sidenote: This was such a cool thing to be featured on GMA!). I was steering one of our 3 boats and we had a near miss when neither could see the other. 3) Sailing a small boat on Lake Erie a few weeks ago I had checked for any small craft advisory to which there were none. Once out of the marina I immediately realized the waves were too intense for our small boat. We capsized, but I remained calm and in control. I told my only passenger to stay holding onto the boat while I righted the boat. Her fear caused me to yell, "MayDay" to a passing tri-toon. I had them get her aboard the boat then handled dropping the sail and tethering my boat to theirs for a ride ashore. I was never worried for our lives, but did feel I handled the situation well considering all things. Lake Erie is a shallow lake and by far the most treacherous of the great lakes as storms come in quickly and the waves are no joke when this happens. I took precautions, but there is no replacement for preparedness when you face a serious situation.

@Liisa Reimann yes, I will post it on the main discussion page because I think it is such a cool thing for dragon boating and BCS for all to see!

@Tina Giangrande how did that feel in retrospect? Now that you’ve paddled a long time do you feel like that would be confusing? Helpful?

@Liisa Reimann boy have you given me a LOT to consider. So a few more details and perhaps more questions. I have been coaching a small community team for 2 years (really just fell into my lap). I have been asked to be captain, steerer, and overall “guidance/don’t call it coaching but it is coaching” of the team I paddle with that will race while the rest of our team (2 boats) are in France. I’ve had very good feedback from the team in its entirety. We also have another teammate who is a coach in training who is doing a remarkable job and has been well received (at least so far) by the team. I sort of think I might be interested in a smaller coaching role of prepping rookies each season. They practice on a different day. Give me your feedback on that if you don’t mind.