NAMBA April 2020 Web.pub

Race Day . It's a warm and dry September mor ning on the shores of the Columbia River. The little town of Pateros was barely awaken and the sunrise was orange and yellow as it so slowly rose above the ridge. I waited at the quaint little deck alongside the not open yet coffee stand, enjoying the cool, fresh air. Soon there were a couple more people all sleepy eyed but enthusiastic, leaning on the rail waiting for coffee. As the cool air is quickly replaced with the smell of warming river water and coffee, the Eastern Washington sun now turns up the heat and quickly warms to the lower 70s, blue skies, light breeze and the sound of irrigation spraying around the town. Not yet 7 AM, we walk to the classroom getting acquainted. It’s my first time like another driver. The third driver had done the School Boat before but had to travel across the country to do it. He was doing it again because it was only a few hours away this time, and he likes it. As class begins, I meet some of the crew and Jeff Bernard for the first time. We learn about the setup of the School Boat, safety and procedure. The class time was not too long, had some laughs and then came the draw. The draw determines the rotation. I was number 3 of 5. Not a bad place to be. Takes me to the middle of the day instead of being first out or having to wait all day to go last. The commitment from the school is to get all students their seat time the first day, today. In the event of the race schedule delays or weather, those who don't drive today will go tomorrow. Off to meet the School Boat and then to the drivers meeting. When we arrived to the pits, we found the school boat relaxing on its trailer. We gave it a walk around while Jeff explained the critical parts of the boat. The engine is clean, the deck is dry, and the sun is shining all over the pits except for the shaded area where we were. The race fans are waking up and browsing the open pits while we get sized up for driver's suits and air systems. Drivers meeting was no big deal. I didn’t really understand most of what was being said, but there were a few things I grasped. Flags; Green, White, Checkered, Black, Red – Got it. The Score Up, not sure what that was about, but didn’t matter. Weather forecast, high winds, Oh No. At first I didn’t think too much about it because if there is one thing you can count on the Mighty Columbia River for, it’s afternoon wind. But this was forecasted as High Winds. Remember, I’m number three on the draw. “Pin It to Win It!” – The morning started early and once the coffee was served, there was nothing but continuous race prep from the class room to the drivers meeting, but now, I wait, watch, relax and enjoy. When the crane fired up and launched a few boats for testing, I became like a curious kid at the hobby shop. The beach had come alive and I didn’t want to miss a thing. While the two boats were testing, the school boat was craned in. #1 and #2 drivers were suited up and on the dock. They were the lucky ones to start the day after our National Anthem. If you have never seen the opening ceremony at the APBA event, I promise you, you will be inspired. Now the first school boat student is on the water. Good driving, calm water, 10 laps, back to dock. The second driver, a bit faster than the first driver, 10 laps, back to dock. It was exciting to watch them both, and they were greeted back to the dock with whistles and cheers. Now that the first two school boat drivers have done their laps and the first class of inboards are sitting race ready in the water, it’s now time to start racing. “OK, let’s do it!” – Heat after heat, I watch the racing lines and crane action, enjoyed the commentating, talked with the wife while sitting in the now hot sun, oh, and I’m watching the weather too. As I begin to suit up, I see the high winds building a few miles downriver. It wasn’t long after there was chatter on the PA about the visible wind line crawling up river. Next . Thumbs up sign given and over I go again. This time stopped upside down and the divers are below watching my every move. I can't hardly tell you how much fun this all is. I’ve always enjoyed playing on and in the water, so this was a blast. I know that my wife is waiting and hoping that I don't like what is happening and hoping that I would not want to drive the school boat after all this capsule stuff, or was she? So off with the steering wheel, release the harness and roll out to the nose of the capsule. But wait, this is to cool. It took a moment to sit on the bottom to look around. PROPWASH April 2020 23 The divers signaled asking if I was OK and I gave the OK back. I admit, I maybe should have not sat there for a moment, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to enjoy the quiet calmness of being under water, but now time to ascend. Following my bubbles to the top, I breached the water with excitement and laughs and chatted a moment with the divers letting them know I was OK and was having fun. They chuckled and gave me their approval. As I made my way to exit the pool, I was close enough now to hear my wife asked if I was OK and how did it go? The moment she recognize that I was having nothing but fun, she quickly acknowledge her hopes of me failing and did so with a laugh and a smile. The rest of the evening was relaxing and enjoying the race environment from the driver’s side of the sport. But had to have an early night of it due to the 7 AM classroom schedule the next morning. Tomorrow is race day.