Intro to Cloud Nine

Introduction to Cloud Nine.

 

As before it has been a while since I updated this a blog. It is a slow process here since my life is no longer wrapped up in WaterWorld. Now it is just a sometimes hobby, when possible. Sad, but sadness is part of life as well. More for some than others. So even just being able to do some occasional sailing time in WaterWorld is a blessing. As I said in my last post, maybe I have been invited to join, Team Bliss out of Kobe to restore my “sea-legs”.

 

I had started a “meet up” group to see what kind of interest there was for a sailing club. I had a few hits, but as with my meetups for Meditation, Tai Chi and King Fu, people join the meetup and then do not follow through. People like to dream and talk but do not want to really take the steps to make that dream real. 

 

Last month, I asked for an arrangement to meet up with and sail with Team Bliss. Most of the Team was busy, but I did get to meet up with Bill the boat owner and one of the crew members. A woman sailor, a nice person, who is studying classical piano and drives one of my favorite cars and os learning about boat racing.

 

The three of us had made a plan to go for a short sail. The weather was good, even though light wind which was on and off. We met at the Yacht Club there in Nishinomiya and got organized to go, only to figure and out the battery was not going to cooperate with the plan. Capt. Bill contacted another friend who came out to take a look. Meanwhile, Yuka-San and I went off to the store to buy a set of Jumper cables. It was my Iwa to use the second battery as a jumper for the main battery. They were not hooked up together as in many boats. So a jumper was needed. 

 

After we returned from a successful mission, the boat was running. Can’t Bill’s Friend had sorted out the problem with the engine being too tight to turn with the weak battery. After a bit of chatting, we set off on a sail, which really a motor sail as we did not want to take the chance of not starting again.

 

The wind had picked up some by this time. Enough that we used the main with a Reefed jib to go about. We do a short bit with full ails but it was not that pleasant with took much heeling. So returning to a reefed jib gave us a nice easy ride. 

It was good to be back on the water again, and also in a heavier boat than what I was sailing for classes at Aoki. It made for a more enjoyable ride. I had been out that part of the Bay around Kobe before when working for the Aoki Yard. It is a big modern marina. Reminds me of the Marinas back in Ca, not like the little fishing port types here in Japan. The famous sailor, Kenichi Horie from Japan who sailed to SF on a special boat sails or sailed out of this Marina I believe.

The sail was short but pleasant, it was really just an introduction sail for me on S/V Cloud Nine. The first of hopefully many more. Once I get a passkey and hopefully some students or club members for the Lohan Sailing Society. It will be the return of Capt Zen.

…to be continued

Winds of change

Winds of Change

 

A new door opens. In the Christian world it is said when God closes one door, he opens another. At least something like that. There is most likely some Buddhist -Taoist saying of the same thought. Anyway, yeah, I thought this blog was gong to be much pretty ended with the recent betrayal of “the Master”. Distancing myself from him would severely limit my sailing exposure. Hahah, I just had a flash on the name “the master” in the British show called Doctor Who, “the master” is an evil villain… I will say no more on my digression. There is sailing in Kobe, and more foreigners, however there are several issues with that path.

 

So Yeah, I am still working, but under the vibe of weird conditions. I do not know if it is me, or him, but yeah, I am feeling something. I go in and just do my job, but it feels weird. Maybe just my thoughts of knowing he speaks ill of me, of everyone behind their back. This is not how a true Zen master behaves. I guess like in Kyudo one can have the technical skills but not the spirit, the heart. I thought one had to have both to be a master.

 

So LZ was very very upset the other day, about the whole thing that happen, and some other things she has heard. While I was at work one day and she was off, she spent the day on the phone calling other marinas and yards, seeing if they needed someone with my marine skill set. As it turns out no place was looking for help, except one. She told them about my background and the person asked to see my resume. I wrote it up when I got home and she sent it in. She said the company president, Japanese, who she was speaking with, who spoke fluent English , had graduated from a University in England was impressed and wanted to met me.

 

The marina was in the area not near as the one I am at, but close enough via a short train ride. Which in one way is good, better to be checking outside of the immediate area so as not to have any conflicts.

 

I went in today and met with the owners. We had a nice chat, they seemed like nice people and the place felt comfortable. They only have one other yard person right now as it is slow and they have no sailing instructor but wanted one for their closed school since they did not have an instructor. We talked some about my teaching background, he said he was impressed with my sail experience. I said most of it has been in the States but I did have some serious

Sailing here in Japan, including with Typhoons. He said what are you doing out in a Typhoon you should be in port. My reply was yeah, I agree , but I was told it was going to be safe and I would rather not go into it any further than that. LZ said she had told him about where I was working now, and there were some issues. He said he understood, apparently there is a reputation out there. Small island, small industry, of course there is talk…

He also expressed that since is a small industry here that it is difficult to find someone with my

skills. How nice to be appreciated! He explained the pay scale, transportation expenses and misc stuff. Anyway we seemed like a good fit and I am to start once work picks up some. They have plans for re-opening the yacht club, which has a bar, also the sailing school, they already have some sailing supplies. LZ was really excited about this place from speaking with the owner, he has an international mind-set. I felt comfortable, this could be a good thing down the road, on several levels, including a spot for me to my band to play, and possibly host other bands…this could be very interesting. They have monthly boat races last Sat of the month, the owner says they get a pretty good turn out. I was invited to come by on this upcoming Sat race but I am already teaching a class that day, then heading back to the States. The owner said he will be in touch then when I return.

 

Winds of change… 

another door opens…

in Japan.

 

 

Spring Race of 2015

The weather forecast changed a couple of times over the course of a few days. First there was supposed to be rain on the race day. Then it was partly sunny with fair winds. The night before we were expecting to have some winds. We were looking forward to it. Finally a race at Tajiri harbor with some wind. I have been to four so far, all fizzled out due to being windless.

 

The night before LZ and I were at a local coffee house with some friends, a bunch of us in fact, as we had a secret anniversary party. We played music, drank, ate, chatted. I had invite a couple of Kyudo Sempai, band member, and sailing/Zen folks. Good times.

Anyway we, Yoh Sensei and I expected to have a good day at the race on Sunday.

 

Sunday came the winds were light but sailable. I thought I was going to be on the big yellow boat again.

However I was not, it was out somewhere. I was to captain my usual teaching boat. That was fine with me. It had a genoa jib so I figured finally get to really race. My crew was two of my past students, so we were comfortable with each other.

 

We prepared the boat and set off. Usually I am last to go as the big yellow boat has the biggest handicap. This time I was third. Yoh Sensei and I both started at the same time, he was on a boat similar to mine, with the same handicap. Off we went. I was close on the stern of Yoh Sensei, holding 3rd or 4th, not sure where the other boat came from as we started 3rd. There was a couple of times I felt like I could pass, however as I was not sure where the race markers were I figured I would follow for a while, then pass later.

 

I looked behind and the rest of the boats were hot on our six. The Zen boats moving well in the light air. Soon a couple caught up with us. We, the leaders tacked so we could make our approach to the first marker. The Zenboats and a few others held their course. They could sail closer to the wind then we on the Yamahas could.

 

 

Slowly the wind started to shift and to fall off. Little by little we started falling behind. The genoa helped but, there was a lot of bagging in our main sail which I could not do anything about. It was the training boat for the school so, old sails and dirty bottom. Slowly slowly slowly we lost ground. The field pulled ahead.

 

As we closed in on the last marker the field was round the marker and heading back to the marina. Whilst we were out we got a call the course was shorten do to lack of wind. We rounded the last marker, the field was already halfway back it seemed. We made it around the marker, as the wind died. We thought we make some time going down wind, but the sea surface slowly turned to glass and we just drifted. For a time I just let us drift. Finally I said, well we might as well give it up, we are dead last and everyone else is almost back, lets start the motor and get back for the BBQ. The crew agreed and we headed back. Once again I was in last place. At least this time I completed the full marker turns, that was something! Yatta!

 

We docked the boat and checked in. The BBQ started shortly afterward. This went smooth everyone was enjoying themselves. Then I heard some controversy start. I do not know what it was all about but I heard someone speaking loudly about the rules, “rules are rules are they not”? He was not pleased. There was a big discussion for a while, but everything settled down.

 

I had a little to eat, some roasted veggies and yams. Most of the things served up are meat on a BBQ. Oh well. It was a nice sail day and getting out with the sail gang is nice. I am much more considered part of the group now and feel totally comfortable. People come up and talk to me, I do not get a lot of what they say but, but enough they feel satisfied and sometimes we can share a good laugh.

 

 

After a bit of food, and a glass of wine I headed home on my bicycle for a nap. I was up late the night before and the morning of the race day.

 

Osaka Bay Windless racing

Having been S.F. Bay Area sailing trained I have come associate sail races with wind… At least most of the time. They seem to go well together. This is the third sailboat race I have been asked to help with. For the second time I am ship Captain. Once again with a crew fairly new to sailing. Once again to the largest boat in the fleet and the biggest handicap. Once again last to start. Once again no wind! Last to start with no wind almost guarantees last to finish.

 

I have figured out for my boat it is not a matter of really racing, but giving the new Seabees a chance to be out on the water during a race.

Ok my crew was set. I had two women, one of which spoke some English. We got to chat a bit. Also two guys one of which has a small disability. Everyone seems nice and are ready to go.

We get the boat set, sails up and wait for our start time. Finally it is time. The crew member runs from the start desk to the boat and we are off. We motor our of the marina and over to the start buoy. That is our fast movement, once pass the marker we slow to a drift. The field us ib feint of us and webbing up the rear, slowly , very slowly. There is nothing really to do other than just drift and enjoy the weather.
We receive a call from the race desk. The course has been change due to lack of wind. Everything is in slow motion however at least the smaller light boats like the Zen 24 are moving. Everyone adjusts course for the new headings. Not much of a difference for us. Still last still a long ways to go to the first marker.

There is a time limit on the race. The leaders are starting to the final marker of two. We and several other have yet to reach the first marker. With one hour or so left, we call it a day and head back under power to the marina for the BBQ.  I did not push the boat to make good time back, because I was concerned about the noise I heard when the motor ran, Maybe transmission or maybe my paranoia , ether way we were last getting back to the marina.

 

We were already passed the start of the BBQ, I figured I was basically getting a free sail and BBQ out of this, the others were paying. With that thought, once we docked I sent everyone up to the BBQ and I stayed and but the boat to bed. It took me a while but I was not expecting much to eat so I did not rush.

Once boat chores were done I went up to join in the after Race stuff…eating. I was met by one of the office staff who told my tofu was on reserve and gave me a plate of tofu squares to Grill. I found a spot and set at it. The only problem, other than the smoke, was I wanted my Tofu crispy outside, which ment leaving it on the grill for a long period. This was a problem, I found if left a piece grilling until I was ready to grab it, someone else grabbed it!

 

So I had to eat sooner, rather than later.  Otherwise meaning, “you snooze, you lose!”

The Windless Race

 

Aoki Yacht Club and Sailing school held a sunset race the other day. I was asked to attend. I was told I would be a crew member. At least that is what I thought, I was being told. As it turns out I was the Captain! Whoa that was a shocker. Not something I wanted. After getting over the shock I figured , hey not so bad, I’ll deal with it. All I need to do is steer and tell the crew of three what to do. Not so bad, just sail around the course and ganbaru (do our best).

 

 

It was a pleasant evening a bit warm but not uncomfortable. The issue was the wind…there was none!

 

 

I checked over the boat, and slowly my crew showed up. One of them I have sailed to Okinawa with, so I knew he had some sail sense about him, he is also a staff member. That was good, I depended on him to understand what was being said in Japanese and to give me guidance on the instructions. He does English, but he can cover my Stern.

 

 

All went well once ready. We cast off. We were last! We had the biggest boat, so we had the handicap. the only problem right off was when leaving the slip, I cut things a bit too close, not being used to the boat or the docking, and ran into the mooring lines of the boat next to us when making the turn out into the fairway. Not damage or anything, I quickly reversed before getting things worse. I adjusted and we were off. Our start was good. The sails were hoisted and as we hit the start line the engine was cut. It seems like we got a bit of wind and past one boat right off. 

 

 

That only lasted a short while as the wind died. So we and the others sat, and sat, and sat. A few times i did some sculling to give us some headway and steerage. It was a three marker race, one a few of the lighter boats made it to the first marker before returning to port. 

 

 

We started last we finished last . Oh well. It was fun and educational. As well as getting more known to the locals. The folks there at the club were very nice and friendly. Some I knew, many I did not, so it was good to meet them. It was a long evening , but fun, with a small potluck afterwards.

 

 

 

And they’re off…

My first sailing of the year was today, Also my first real sail in Japan and my first race in Japan or anywhere for that matter. I was not a racer. So I chose today as the start of this blog as it is the start of the new life in Zen’s Water World Japan. 

I was invited to attend a Yacht Race and BBQ at Aoki Yacht Club and Sailing School. This is also my new employer. I will be teaching Sailing classes and doing yacht deliveries. I did work for Aoki Yachts in the States, with the Zen 24 sailboat for those who remember.

 

 

 

Today was a fun day, the race was not all that as there was not much wind. I was crew and advisor. The couple I was with had lived in the states for some 8 yrs now back in Japan. The husband was pleased to practice his English again and I was please not to struggle with my Japanese so much. They are new to sailing, the husband has completed his ASA Basic Coastal class, she has done none and only sailed with him a couple of times. So they were please to have someone with some experience aboard.

 

 

As there was not much wind and there was a set time limit because of the BBQ many did not finish the race , including us. Still it was fun to be out even on an overcast day the sail was pleasant.

 

 

The BBQ afterward was filling even for me. There was a point made to have food for me to eat which i was grateful for. There was a lot of meat and chicken which the grills keep loading up with. A good time was had by all.

 

I prepare now for the next adventure. I am off to northern Japan, near Yokohama area to pickup a sail boat and return it to Osaka. Myself and one other person. It is some 280 miles. Not bad. However it will be headwinds most of the way, so I am not expecting it to be that much fun…yet one never knows for sure how things turn out. Somethings one expects to be good, suck, and sometimes the other way around.