Teaching: ASA 101 -- Day 2 -- Lightning

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GINOWAN, Japan: (Nov. 12, 2022) -- Day 2 of an ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Course with Sailing Okinawa. After the students took and all successfully passed the ASA 101 test, we headed out to do some downwind and MOB practices. Crew aboard the boat were students: Matt (an Aussie), Laurie and her 17-year-old son, Gideon.

However, lightning lighted up the sky with Gideon on the helm as we headed toward Bouy 2 outside of Ginowan Marina which had us quickly turning around. This was the first time I've had to deal with lightning as an issue for the class. 

So we headed back in and decided to wait two hours and meet at 1 p.m. to wait out the lightning. Right as students Laurie and Gideon walked up to Knotty Girl a bolt of lightning lit up the sky and cancelled their portion of the class. 

So we setup a rescheduled date of Nov. 25 to finish off the course. 

Matt -- who actually flew down from Tokyo -- stayed another hour and we launched Malietoa and did some downwind sailing and jibe practice. "I've never done jibes in this strong of wind," Matt an Aussie remarked. We practiced that skill until Matt felt he was comfortable in doing the technique. 

I then was able to certify him for the basic keelboat course. Of note, Matt is the third student I've taught that has aced the test! Congratulations!


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