Sailing Education Adventures

SEA has always been at the forefront of encouraging sailors to mind heads. You might recall instructors shouting “watch your head” during those near accidental jibes in your early sailing career. There’s also the other maxim: “Keep your head out of the boat,” meaning don’t get too caught up with what's inside the boat - ensure you keep a vigilant watch about you. 

We are proud to say SEA has continued to evolve.  And now it’s time to adopt a new maxim: "Keep the head clear!" Because if this simple habit is not developed well and practiced with intent, even the most merited sailor risks soiling his/her reputation. And, that stinks.

The head. It’s also known on land as “the toilet”. But, because it’s on a boat, the proper term is “head” – and why? Traditionally, the head was at the bow, especially during the early days of sailing when ships could not sail upwind, hence the bow was never upwind. Sailors are a smart breed - who would want to be downwind of  . . . well . . . possible bad wind?

SEA is privileged in that our respectable clubhouse, Dezi, is graced with two heads, one for the ladies in the aft and one for the gents in the bow.

Using the heads one must follow strict rules, as they deserve respect. Without our clubhouse heads, one must walk a great distance on wooden planks (and some have seen sharks along the way) to a very inconvenient isolated destination. This action could cause great discomfort if not sheer panic among some, an unfortunate consequence for our members.

The use of the head is quite simple really: what comes out of the body, goes down the head. If it doesn’t, than into the trash it goes – which is conveniently located right next to the head. Simple, right? Things can get very ugly otherwise -  the blame gets passed, rumors fester, contempt overflows and many good deeds go down . .. the toilet.

SEA may start a new program of teaching the skill of fixing heads, requiring every member to participate in the gloved, saran wrapped body geared, technical art of pumping, cleaning and sanitizing. It's a skill that could win members fast friends in the sailing community, for sure.

But, perhaps we don’t have to steer that course just yet, as we just simply want to sail, breathe the fresh salt air and shoot the sh** (proverbally speaking only, of course) while drinking a cold beer or two.

So, please, pass this mantra on to every SEA member – three simple head rules:

1. Watch your head!
2. Head out of the boat!
3. Keep the head clear! 

Otherwise, the planks ye might be forced to walk!