The Club Nàutic Portitxol relives the teenager spirit with the Papa Optimist

The Optimist is an international category of light sailing focused to start with kids between the ages of 6 and 15 years old in the world of sailing. This age limit cannot be exceeded, and once turned 16 years old, the youngsters must decide if to continue sailing and which type of boat: ILCA, 420, 29er…

Other than the age limit, the Optimist has a weight limit, and it is not recommended to sail on this type of boat if one weighs more than 50 kilos, agility required for skippering and the lack of space in the cockpit.

But now and then it is good to break the rules and for one day, the Club Nàutic Portitxol  has decided to let go of this rule and recommendations and give the opportunity for adults to relive old times aboard these renowned boats in the Papa Optimist regatta.

At the margin of the parties of the Mare de Déu del Remei and to to round off two weeks of celebration, the Club Nàutic Portitxol has organized a fun activity for the adults that feel like authentic children sailing again aboard of the Optimist vessels. On this occasion there has been no pressure to be the first in the finish line, but rather the skill to stay on the boat without falling into the sea. The participants in this original regatta had to manage to navigate their Optimist, trying all kinds of positions: standing, kneeling, squatting and even with their legs outside the boat. Any position will do as long as they make it to port.

Not only did they have to fight to stay on board, but also to manoeuvre during the race, a task that is not easy and requires all the agility of the navigators taking into account the dimensions of the boat.

Leaving aside the winners and victors, the important goal of the Papa Optimist has been achieved. And it is that the adults have enjoyed a different journey, a festive and happy ambience, where the most important thing is to participate and remember the old competitive quarrels.