On April 20, 2024 the WETA and Isotope Fleets opened up the Carolina Sailing Club season on Kerr Lake.  Mark Prudhomme also cooked some of the best Jambalaya ever.

First I want to thanks Steve Chobot for cleaning and reviewing all the equipment!  I think he had some helping hands from JP, Joleene, and Steve Cardoze but it all got done.  He had both boats in Henderson point parking lot for RC (Thanks!).  Equipment worked flawlessly!  I also want to thank RC which included Kacey Dutton, Robert Tillack and neighbor, plus Rebekah Cowart and husband plus me.

Saturday started out with low wind so we postponed till 11:30 at which point the wind kept shifting but eventually RC could set a square line in 7-12kts.  The start was out across the lake and racers were headed upwind to the north cove.  Everyone agreed to start the Wetas and Isotopes separately.  Its amazing how quick these boats are in some wind…they made the first mark in less than 8 minutes!  We lengthened the course but with the increased winds in the afternoon the leaders were still coming in at 30 minutes.  I could barely see the windward mark from the signal boat!  The last race we had a 30° shift at the Isotope start which caused a jam up.  Everyone thought it was just an oscillation but it never came back.  As such the last race was a screamer for both fleets!  It was a drag race but tacks were still required.  Everyone appreciated the speed!  Eric R (Isotope) and Alan Taylor (Weta) came out on top.

Mark started into the Jambalya prep immediately…he was quick.  Within an hour we had a warm delicious meal in the parking lot.  It was reported that a few people went back 4 times to refill!

Lots of camping, fires, and socializing Saturday night.

Sunday we awoke to premature rain but the temperature surprised more than a few people….temperatures at 50 and dropping.  Most boats decided to cancel so it was decided that boats shouldn’t go out (cold wind, cold rain, and cold water).  ☹