2011 Trip 1 - Pacific Swift

Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2011 summer sailing season aboard the Pacific Swift. By 1100 the sun was shining as were the faces of the 28 trainees waiting to board. The vast majority of the trainees are joining us for the first time and hailing from such far flung ports as Denver and the Mexican Baja. After a safety orientation lines were slipped at 1430 and we waved farewell to a festive Victoria Harbour festooned for Canada day celebrations.  The seas were glassy while we motored north towards Active Pass, catching a fleeting glimpse of orcas before slipping towards the Strait of Georgia. Sun-kissed mountains glowing red, orange and violet looked down on the still gentle sea as we shaped a course northward for Desolation Sound. Passing Vancouver distant bursts of red and white marked the firework celebrations of Canada Day. The night passed gently beneath a blanket of stars with trainees providing a sure hand at the helm. Sunrise brought a building southeast wind tempting us to set sail for the first time. Courses, mainsail, square top and maintop were spread aloft and the Swift tumbled northward at a happy 6 knots. The wind bade us farewell off Powell River and we motored the rest of the way to Savary Island, the gateway to Desolation Sound. Everyone turned to with goodwill to the work of handling sail and several trainees made forays aloft to tend to the topsails. Our anchor settled into the sands of Savary at 1300 and dories were quickly launched to take advantage of low water on the nearby sandy beaches. A rousing game of soccer and frisbee was enjoyed while bald eagles fished in the shallows nearby. Back aboard now for lasagna and the prospect of a quiet night at anchor. All are well and settling in comfortably.