Last Monday I had the rare opportunity to spend the whole day with my son doing something we both really enjoyed. This July Justin has been signed up for and going to sailing classes on Lake Washington just a few minutes south of his Mom’s house. Week one he learned how to, rig, right and sail the Flying “Dutchman” Junior and last week he was set into the Laser class vessels.

On Monday I had agreed to take him to a doctors appointment in the North Gate area and then on to his sailing lessongs at Sandpoint Sail. I cleared my calendar planning on staying there for the morning hoping to watch him sail during the lessons.

I was able to watch the whole morning and took some photos while I was there. Justin was involved the whole morning which was really neat to see. When they were doing a swimming test and righting capsized boats Justin was first in the lake. His swimming partner couldn’t keep up with my little fish-boy and Justin stayed tredding water and helping his mate. That itteration done, there was an uneven number of kids in the class and Justin repeated the whole afair with another boy who ended up sailing with him later.

I know pride is uncooth, but in every photo above you can tell where Justin and Henry are. Theirs is the Laser in the lead; considerably out in front. One their way back one of the instructors pulls up behind them in a motor dingy and asked them to slow down.

When we finished the two of us drove down town and had some lunch. I bought Justin a new PFD which fits him much better. And as the time slowly passed we decided that we’d go sailing together in the afternoon. Justin could show his old man a thing or two.

We took an FJ out on Lake Washington the two of us and I can’t say I’ve had a better time in recent memory. Justin skippered the boat and I managed the rigging and lines at his direction. We were pretty good and keeping the craft up and well healed in the wind although our down wind legs could use some work.

Hoping we can spend tomorrow doing the same.