Bowwoman: Nurturing next generation

A dad’s story in Latitude 38 of how giving equal opportunity to boys and girls is easier said than done:

The A2’s power transformed the spinnaker sheet into a metal rod. Gusts were approaching 30 knots, with sustained winds in the 20s. The following seas laid out a roller coaster of speed and turns ahead of our sprit, clear from Montara to Monterey. A firehose of white water blasted the entire crew as we caught each wave, but it didn’t matter. We were grinning ear to ear as we clung to the lifelines for the 2025 Spinnaker Cup run.

That’s when my teenage daughter, Addison — graduated from Optis to offshore boats — clipped in and went forward to begin the peel to the A4.

I know I’m supposed to be gender neutral, especially in the often patriarchal sport of sailing, and always with my kids. Girls and boys are all capable. I shouldn’t limit opportunities based on gender. These were the thoughts racing through my head as my baby girl clasped the forestay against a wall of water. A small, Addison-shaped hole was all I could see as we plowed into a swell at 16 knots. It wrapped around her and swept the boat. She hung on, drenched head to toe, and gave me a thumbs up as she ran the second tackline. Fortunately, my face was already dripping from the deluge, so no one could see the tear as I realized that my youngest kid had grown up.

Did I want her on the bow offshore? Heck yes. And heck no. – Full report