I didn’t want to get up on Saturday morning at 6:30 ambut that is the reality when you live 30 miles from the water. On Saturday June 9, 2012 we checked, in, ate breakfast and played with my friends like all kids usually do. Mom and Dad rigged my boat for me while I chatted with my friends. I know that as a C-1, it is more fun to horse around with my friends rather than rig my boat. 
At 9:30 I heard over the loud hailer that I was to report to the patio for the start of the 2012 BASC Clinic. If late, I was required to perform 25 push-ups. I was having none of that so I ran up the ramp and sat down just in the nick of time. I was happy to be assigned to Jess, a coach from Long Beach Yacht Club, whom I’d seen on the water, but never met before. At 9:45 class started and Jess began with his assessment of the local conditions in Newport and how they compare with normal conditions in Alamitos Bay, the site of the 2012 Jr. Sabot Nationals. Jess hates chalk talks, so we heading out to our boats ASAP.
We began with tacking drills, starting sequence drills and collision avoidance and tactics for upwind boat speed. As all sailors know, that is very important. Lunch was the highlight of the day! An amazing BBQ was presented for our enjoyment on the flag deck. The afternoon was filled with another chalk talk and more on the water advice. I was exhausted by the end of the first day.
The alarm went off at 6:30 am on Sunday and I was dragging myself to the car for another informative day on the water. As soon as I arrived at BYC, Becky and Katie thought it would be fun to subject us to a rigorous workout. Most complained about the exercise, but I thought it was fun and good for my body. Again, another chalk talk then onto the water for more drills and races. Mark roundings, starting tactics, and boat speed were the subjects of much advice from our expert coach. We headed back in for another glorious lunch and social time before the serious racing got underway. After lunch, we all headed up to the Turning Basin to start our regatta. I was concerned as this was the first time I had to carry weights in my boat and my floor board was out for repairs. The boat bottom got really slippery, but I managed to not capsize or DIE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BARGE CAME THROUGH THE RACE COURSE. We did a total of 4 races and Emily from LBYC won all the marbles.
I did not place well, but learned that everything matters during a race. I had a lot of fun in this clinic and appreciate the opportunity to learn from an experienced coach and get a different opinion on my tactics, I would like to thank Katie Tinder, Becky Lenhart, Jess my coach and the BYC Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation for this great learning experience. I will definitely give it my all during Sabot Nationals and be back next year for this great clinic!
Jeffrey Petersen