PORT TOWNSEND — Persevering in face of adversity — and even being cheerful about it — brought rewards for the nine longboat crews who braved driving rain and winds Saturday to complete the Pacific Challenge.
“Yesterday we had a lot of adverse conditions, but it worked out perfectly,” said Dan Evans, one of the organizers.
“You don’t always test a crew on a sunny day — you give them a little weather.”
The Pacific Challenge is a test of seamanship for youth ages 14 and older who compete in rowing, sailing, overboard drills and other tests of seamanship.
From Northwest, Canada
The 13th annual Challenge drew longboat crews from the Northwest and Canada, including two from Port Townsend, the Puget Sound Explorers in Townshend, and the Sea Scout Ship Falcon in Bear.
During Saturday’s rowing race, Townshend, crossed the finish line second, behind the Elizabeth Bonaventure from Anacortes.
Then they circled back and encouraged other boats who were having a hard time making way against the wind, including the local Sea Scouts in Bear.
“They were having trouble, so we rowed around singing chanteys,” said Logan Cadorette, Townshend’s coxswain.
“We try to be good sports and support the other boats.”
Spirit award winners
For their efforts, the Puget Sound Explorers took home the Bonzo De Leo Community Spirit Award. They also received the award for excellence in navigation.
“Because it was a rainy day, it was difficult to pull crews together,” Evans said. “It was hard to keep records dry.”
Sea Scout Anne Aldrich, 13, survived four heats to win the knot-tying contest. In the final dead heat, Aldrich completed a sheep-shank a few seconds faster than her adult competitor, according to Mary Gail Falk, Sea Scout first mate.
