1st session of Spring 2010 for sailing squad

23 cadets fell in at Bridgeton Harbor to begin the 2010 season for NBHS-NJROTC. It was chilly but enthusiasm ran high. For more than half of the sailing squad, it was their first face-to-face meeting with a sailboat. Cadet Commander Tommy Powers gave the intial orders, then the experienced cadets led their boat teams in rigging up the Flying Juniors, bending on the sails & fitting the rudders & tillers. Each boat also had a coach who turned every step of the process into a lesson as well as a prepartion to sail.
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At right, Head Coach Rezab briefs the sailing squad on the practice drills for today. Boat 5 team is captained by cadet A.J.Sherman
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The coaches: Joe Gormley, Buddy Dillinger, Doug King, Mark Hittner, John Jackson, Brian Flanagan, and Jerry Rezab. All are members of Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club who have volunteered to help get the younger generation "squared away."
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At left, the New Bern HS NJROTC shows why they so consistently earn honors... listening with full attention!
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and... ... ...

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ENTHUSIASM !!

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One of the most important lessons for the newbies is that sailboats can lean WAY OVER!!
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Coach Buddy Dillinger shows the Boat 4 team (captained by Jeff Glover, who was absent) and Pamlico HS NJROTC cadet Roberson (farthest right). Bears cadet Sharice Little was manning the centerboard and is not visible in this picture.
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Unfortunately the team for Boat 2 forgot their battens! This is one reason why a 'dress rehearsal' is good idea. Boat 3 (sail #9, team captain Craig Colton) is shown practicing gybes on the safety of dry land with the boom held high. The blue-yellow FJ is Boat 6 captained by cadet Kayla Fouts. The sail #10 "ODU" shows that these boats were originally owned by Old Dominion University in Norfolk.
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Unfortunately, the weather was just a teaser. The river water temperature is dangeorusly cold, putting a chill in the wind and threatening hypothermia. However the sunshine & the light breeze made today a good time to practice on dry land. Considering all the skills that go into sailing, such as learning the terminology, rope craft, steering with a tiller, and knowing the basic points of sail... the was plenty for the new cadets to learn, and the experienced skippers to review. We know for a fact that warmer weather is coming, and all will be better prepared.

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at left- the New Bearn Bears NJROTC starting to unrig their boats after a hard days work. The historic skyline of New Bern, with the Town Hall clock tower and the church steeples, is visible across the Neuse River.
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The next sailing squad assembly will be on Monday, March 8.
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Sailing exercises will commence with the basic "Baby Duck" drills.


posted by Assistant Coach Doug King