The Texas 200 has come to Seadrift, Texas. Sailors from as far away as Australia; Spokane, Washington; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Colorado; Missouri and across Texas gathered in Port Isabel, Texas for the fourth annual Texas 200 Challenge. With sailboats as small as 8 ft., mud ducks to as large as 26 ft., cruisers, catamarans to double masted ketches, to challenge the Texas coastal waters for 200 miles and six days.
This year’s 200 challenge was especially difficult with winds in the 30’s and four to six foot seas Traveling for some with compass and chart alone, with stories of demasting, broken rudders, ripped sails, capsizing, running aground, relentless waves and unbearable sun, sailors would recover refit and make do with help from fellow sailors to their ultimate goal of the finish line in Seadrift Texas.
Sailboats would gather at night at predetermined locations to camp. Making repairs, cooking dinners, fishing or going for a late evening swim, then settling for the night in conversations with there fellow sailors.
As the next morning arrived, boats would sail off with sails stretching for miles to the horizon, each day bringing a new adventure, Some sailors sailing alone, some with buddies, and some with spouses.
As sailors arrived in Seadrift, they would speak of the beauty of the Texas coastline –dolphins playing near their boats, the beautiful coastal birds, catching fish in the evening, and watching the clouds of sails move across the bays, One older gentleman stated, “What beautiful islands and water you have here in Texas, long stretches of unspoiled coastline.”
Other sailors would arrive in Seadrift, beach their boats, tired and worn out, saying, “ Can’t wait till next year. I will miss the silent swishing of the sailboat cutting through the water.”
But this Great Adventure could not happen without the hard work and dedication of a few individuals and civic organizations of Seadrift.
When asked why he founded the Texas 200 Challenge, Chuck Leinweber stated, “When sailing, I always try to challenge myself by remembering ‘good decisions come from good judgment, good judgment comes from bad decisions’” Leinweber, who sails a plywood ketch (cat-rigged) named “Pearl” said that the 200 has no rules and no winners, and it is not a race but a challenge. It gives one a chance to sail in challenging conditions.
There are approximately 100 members involved with the 200 and they can be reached at the Texas 200.com .
Other sailing groups joined in, including the Yahoo group Geezers, headed by Bill Tosh of Henderson, Texas and Noel Nicholls who have been sailing the 200 for the last two years.
Many sailors spoke of the welcome they received in Seadrift as members of the Seadrift Sail and Yacht Club headed by Commodore Jack LaBarge, who also completed the 200 challenge himself welcomed the tired sailors with cold water and help with their boats. LaBarge stated, “The challenge was different for every one of us and everyone does it for different reasons.” LaBarge has been working to bring the 200 to Seadrift for the last 2 1/2 years.
A shrimp boil awaited the hungry boaters later that evening “to our Aussie friends” there was Bubba’s Shrimp on the barbie as Bubba’s supplied the shrimp boil. “What a reception in Seadrift!” sailors would say as the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce, headed by Jason Jones, supplied the tables, chairs and bottled water. And the Seadrift Lions Club, headed by Peggy Gaines, turned out in force to serve all the hungry voyagers.
Sailors also commented on the new harbor improvements and the ease of sailing straight in. The City Harbor has been undergoing improvements under the direction of councilman Johnny Mikolas (Harbor Commissioner), who has been working to save the city harbor.
Seeing so many locals deeply involved in the community with no pay, donating their time to inspire fellowship in their community was inspiring.
Many friends were made and adventures shared on this voyage… until next year.
Sailors in the Texas 200 Photo by Vicky Grove
