The crew has voted overwhelmingly to attend the Silva Bay Shipyard School Raid. Tad Roberts, a boat designer, has reserved the boat Ratty for SSS Falcon troop. Ratty is a boat built especially for this kind of race and carries 7 crew. The Raid goes North this year, 111 NM. Kim says, "we are looking forward to it, both for the new route and also being with old friends."
Veritie (another NW longboat troop) has graciously agreed to combine crew with Falcon for the Pacific Challenge. They are currently in the boatshop, but hoping to begin practice in early March. It will be the Sea Scout's first row in a Bantry Bay Gig. Kim wrote, "we have admired Veritie for several years and are looking forward to working with them."
This will also be an opportunity to try out the boats used in the Atlantic Challenge (www.atlanticchallenge.org).
One Port Townsend youth is committed to go to Finland this year, and would love to get more excited about it...if not for this year, then for the contest in 2010 which will be held on the Atlantic Coast of Canada.
Crews will also participate in the Mert-Wells Regatta at Fort Flagler, Marrowstone Island, in March, as well as fundraising and refreshments for the WBF/NWMC Maritime Swapmeet.
