I'se the b'y that sails her

As usual, the first week of every month is a hectic time for me: correcting tests, marking report sheets and making a new class schedule, but coupled with the fact that it's the last days of summer, I have been otherwise neglecting my blogging duties. This month I hope to catch everyone up to speed on what has been going on this summer.

The last two weeks, I've had the pleasure of going sailing at the Gimnyeong Yacht Club, with club member Jerry Cotter, an Irish priest who has been in Korea for over 54 years. He recently did an interview with Jeju Weekly writer Carey Steward. You can read it here.

I was on a road trip around the coast of Jeju island and had time to go out sailing. So I made it a priority to call Jerry, whose number I got through a mutual friend, and arranged to go out the Friday before last.

I met up with Jerry and former club member, Ralf Deutsch, who is also as interesting a character here on Jeju. Ralf owns and operates Big Blue 33, an English friendly dive shop in Seogwipo. He also did an interview with Jeju Weekly, which you can find here.

So preparing our catamaran "Eskimo" at 10:30 in the morning, we made our way slowly out of the harbour on motor power; hoisting the main sail and jib, we were on our way.

I hadn't been sailing for almost two years now and was really starting to miss the relaxing experience that comes from it. The fresh air, the open water, and feeling of being a part of the ocean around you.

When you go out with someone, it's also a very different experience. You get to know people on a more personal level, and sharing the experience with them makes it that much more.

This past weekend, I had yet another opportunity to go sailing. Again I went out with Jerry, but this time I brought along my friend Muggs, who hadn't been sailing since he was about 13 or 14 years old.



This time we took out the mono-hull yacht, "Rascal", and it just fit five people. It was Muggs, Jerry, club member K.H. (initials, not sure on his full name), Australian sailing enthusiast Sherrin (not sure on spelling), and myself out on the sea. The weather was just absolutely perfect, but by Sherrin's standards, "Winter in Australia."



For me, it was more than hot enough out on the water; I was beginning to feel a bit dehydrated, but managed to overcome that with some pocari sweat (a Korean version of gatorade). We all exchanged some interesting stories and contributed to a lengthy discussion on Korea, Jeju, and how they've changed over the years as well as what the future might hold.

It was a good four and half hour sail, which ended with us sailing into harbour; Muggs thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I.

For 10,000 won, it's certainly worth the price for a unique experience out on the water. To become a member, it's 200,000 won for a dinghy certification course and then 30,000 in annual dues. To get your yachting license, you need to do a written test and then a practice run either in Busan or Seoul, which amounts to 50-60,000 won. If you're serious about sailing in Korea, it's probably a good option, especially if you want access to the yachts provided through the club.

Either way, I'll definitely be out sailing again in the future.