There are no people on these sailboats. And the boats in the background are strangely huge. That's because these are radio-controlled model boats, only one meter long. But the competition is definitely life-sized.

model boat racing

Fierce competition after work at San Diego Yacht Club. Photo: Kim Couranz



On an average Friday night at San Diego Yacht Club, 15-20 sailors show up carrying their yachts and quickly drop them into the harbor. Soon there are sails buzzing around just off the dock, conveniently located right in front of the bar. The skippers josh and joke with each other, standing shoulder to shoulder along the railing—until the one minute countdown begins, when the conversations fade into intense concentration.

The gun goes off and a line up of boats crosses the starting line, which is far enough away that it's hard to judge who is over early. Fortunately someone down on the docks with the perfect view calls out "All clear." We have ourselves a sailboat race.

A minute later, the leaders round the top mark just off the dock. Then they head downwind, the skippers eyeing the puffs filling across the water as their busy thumbs direct steering and sail trim. After a second lap, the boats finish by crossing the long starting line, and the jokes and joshing begin again along the railing—until the next starting sequence gets underway. 5-6 races later, the sailors grab their boats again and pull them out of the water.

All in all, it's a great way to spend a Friday evening—for sailors and spectators alike.

Written by: Carol Cronin
Carol Cronin has published several novels about the Olympics, sailing, hurricanes, time travel, and old schooners. She spends as much time on the water as possible, in a variety of boats, though most have sails.