Sea Scouts return from international regatta
The awards presentation at the International Sea Scout Cup. Pictured, from left: Shawn Sovie, Nate Cullinan, Dr. William Koch, Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock, Sea Scouts National Director Keith Christopher, and Charles Wurster, VADM, USCG (Ret.), National Commodore. Photo courtesy William Koch Sea Scout Foundation
Nate Cullinan and Shawn Sovie, juniors at Bay High and Lakewood High School respectively, placed a close second in the Kiwi division of a weeklong sailing regatta held in Long Beach, California. The William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, held June 22-28, attracted 38 teams from around the world, comprised of a captain and a crewmember. There were young sailors from nine countries that included Sea Scouts from New Zealand, South Africa, Finland, Poland, and Ireland.
The competition used Club Flying Junior dinghies belonging to Long Beach Yacht Club and the U.S. Sailing Center. After the series of races, only three points separated Nate and Shawn from a first-place finish. The biannual regatta is sponsored by Oxbow Carbon, founded by Dr. William Koch, winner of the 1992 America’s Cup, promoting leadership through seamanship.
Our Sea Scouts both returned with lifelong memories including that of sailing and racing a 14-foot dinghy in the Pacific Ocean escorted by a pod of dolphins and distracted by a sea lion out fishing – something they did not see last year when they won a qualifying regatta, held at Chippewa Lake Yacht Club, to represent the Boy Scouts of America Central Region.
Sea Scouting is a co-ed adventure program for youth 13 years of age and older who learn citizenship and leadership while developing boating skills. For more information, please contact Richard Gash, 440-871-6106 or email, skipper@seascoutship41.org.
Richard Gash
Adult leader with Sea Scout Ship 41.