We raced in Half Moon Bay last Saturday. We started in a southerly wind in the eight-knot range and sailed for three hours, until the wind eased off to six, with the PRO of the North American Series starting us.

Three minutes up and down to a finish, 12 practice starts, upwind, around a red mark and finish so we could do it again...12 times, but I lost count.

The water was flat, the wind was mild, small shifts, California coastal cool temperature, but an amazing place to race El Toros. When the wind is very strong on San Francisco Bay, Half Moon Bay is mild, with winds either from the south or northwest. It has only taken the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club 40 years to be an overnight sensation/discovery for a great place to sail a small boat! – Gordie Nash