By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter
Day one of the race for the William I Koch International Sea Scout Cup. Courtesy photo.
Move over, America’s Cup. Solano County is the scene of an international sailing competition, one that lets young men and women from throughout the world compete for the top Sea Scout prize.
It’s the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, which began Sunday off the coast of Vallejo, said James Brown, spokesperson for the competition.
The California Maritime Academy is host of this sixth edition of the competition, and this is the first time the competition has taken place on the West Coast, Brown said.
Participants are Sea Scouts, a coeducational program that was established by Arthur Carey of Waltham, Mass., in 1912 as part of the Boy Scouts of America.
The boys first sailed aboard the schooner “Pioneer.” Later, in Philadelphia, Charles T. Lonstreth organized a Sea Scout patrol on his yacht. He and Waltham composed the Sea Scouts’ first literature.
The program grew out of the Boy Scouts’ need for organized activities for older boys.
It gained popularity when it was endorsed by Admiral Robert Byrd, whose first Antarctic expedition included a Sea Scout and Eagle Scout, Paul Siple of Erie, Pa. The program also got a boost when the U.S. Navy Department offered its cooperation.
In 1972, the program began welcoming girls.
Throughout the years, the program’s name changed several times, and its curriculum was revised. The “Sea Scouts” has been its name since 1998.
Opening ceremonies. Courtesy photo.
Sailing competitions also came and went, but in 2002, the Sea Scout Support Committee re-established the national Sea Scout sailing championship. The committee named the competition and its elegant prize the “,” to honor the 1992 winner of the America’s Cup and National Committee member who has supported the scouting program.
The first of the Koch Cup competitions took place in August 2002 at the Columbia Yacht Club, Chicago, Ill.
Koch is arriving to address the young sailors at the competition’s awards ceremony today, Brown said.
Five two-person teams from the Bay Area have been competing all week against young men and women from around the world who have come to Vallejo for the sailing event, said James Brown, spokesperson for the Sea Scout Cup.
Three of the teams are made up of young men: Jacob Abrahams, of South San Francisco, and his teammate Kevin Blinco, San Francisco, who took first place in the Koch Cup regional qualifying regatta last year at Stanford University; Sean Furlanic and his teammate, Steven Bray, both of Redwood City, who were second in the regional regatta; and Parker Smith, of San Rafael, and his teammate Adam Millson, of Martinez, who were third in the qualifying regatta.
Courtesy photo.
By Thursday, Jacob and Kevin were ranked fifth overall at the end of the first day of Finals racing, and Parker and Adam were ranked 13th.
Two more have young women sailors, Elizabeth McKee and her teammate Daniela Zarich, both of Albany, who were second in the White Fleet of the Koch Cup Regional Qualifying Regatta last year, and Kaitlin Brawley of Pleasanton and her teammate Christina Zarich, Daniela’s older sister, of Albany, who were third in the regional regatta’s White Fleet last year. Brown said.
They’re competing against 30 other two-person teams, coming from as far away as Finland, Brazil, Trinidad, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.
They sail “Flying Junior” sailboats, and guide their craft in winds up to 20 knots. Some who have crossed the Carquinez Bridge have been able to see the the boats’ white sails as the competition takes place.
Awards will be made at 7 p.m. today in a variety of categories, not only in sailing but also camaraderie and sportsmanship, Brown said. The ceremony is at the California Maritime Academy, 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo.
Besides Koch, those addressing the Sea Scouts today are Rear Admiral Thomas Cropper, president of the California Maritime Academy; Vice Admiral Paul Zukunft of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area; and Russell Coutts, who has won the America’s Cup three times.
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Excellent that the Sea Scouts went co-ed in 1972. Good story, Donna Beth.
Too bad that the Sea Scouts still follow their parent group, the Boy Scouts of America in its policy of discrimination against gay young men … and I would presume also, lesbian young women. Has our local chapter been up front about this policy?
In 1997 the Sea Scouts of Berkeley were denied use of the city’s marina because of their discriminatory policies. The city’s decision was challenged in the courts, and was upheld all the way to the Supreme Court. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evans_v._Berkeley.) The issue is a hot one in Boy Scout troops: Eagle Scout Timothy Griffin of Vacaville was fired last week from a Scout camp position for being gay. (See http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_21180263/vacaville-native-says-he-was-ousted-from-boy.) Earlier this month, the Boy Scouts of America announced the conclusion of a two-year study on the question of gays in the scouts and reaffirmed the policy of “not granting membership to open or avowed homosexuals.” (See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-brauchli/gays-gods-and-boy-scouts_b_1707172.html.)
Someone should question our local group about this. Off the record, we might discover that a local organization is much more tolerant than the national organization. If so, kudos! If not, we might want to challenge any groups or public entities that are supporting them.
This is an internal controversy in many local Sea Scout chapters. See this 7/17/2012 blog comment, from http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=658882
“This is resonating across the Scout boards I read. Many of us were hoping that the committee would come out (hah!) in favor of Local Control – where your sponsoring organization could make their own decision. With Episcopalians and Presbyterians both sponsoring Troops AND accepting gays and lesbians – the BSA is also not following Reverent.
“I will be staying in Scouting, and being the loud voice at the local level fighting for a change. Please note that many of us wearing the shorts and Oscar De La Renta shirts do NOT agree with this. Sometimes we can be ID’d by our Scouting For All knot (illegal, but worn at times regardless).
“In my Troop, the boys have learned that I don’t tolerate any “that’s gay” language either. The smart ones have read between the lines and have figured out that I don’t agree with the BSA policy either. The local council knows my thoughts, emphasized when I stopped my annual donations to the Friends of Scouting.
25 hours and 38 minutes.
I was wondering how long it would take for some of our local progressives to jump on this excellent article to hijack it in support of their own agenda’s.
54 minutes. I was wondering how long it would take for Dennis to deftly turn my comment into an us ‘n them (again), failing in any way to address the issues I raised. Note that we agree it is an excellent article.
LOL.
I am impressed that for almost an hour you apparrently were on edge awaiting my comments, you flatter me that I was on your mind.
I was on tiptoe. You have so dominated my thinking that I hear you in my sleep. 🙂 Oh, and, here we go again. The issue is not you, nor me, nor how long either of us wait upon the other for more or less flattering exchanges. In this particular conversation, the issue is Sea Scouts, and whether excellent young people or older volunteers who happen to be gay or lesbian, may participate in an exciting and challenging program. And if not, what that says, what it teaches to our kids. Dennis, for once, don’t change the subject. What do you think?
Dennis, for once, don’t change the subject. What do you think?
I think you were the one that changed the subject as gay rights in scouting was not the point of the article, but instead was a point that you decided to bring up.
My thoughts are expressed below in a post I was typing simultaneously to your asking the question.
Only one so far. Rogrmail and Roger Straw are one in the same. The Reverend Roger Straw. You are right DDL agenda driven. It is an excellent article. Well done Donna Written without an agenda.
Oh, and you don’t have an agenda, right, I forgot. My agenda is plain: peace, justice, freedom, prosperity and well-being of all people, even conservatives with an agenda. That said, they do make me angry when they subvert any good comment, twisting it to their own ends.
The issue here is Sea Scouts. Not me, not DDL or BL, not conservatives or liberals, not agendas. It’s about kids and the way we teach our kids to be open and accepting of all people.
Just what is my agenda Reverend Straw? Yes I am a conservative. Reverend do you believe in the Rotary? DeMolay? They both have something in common. It is called Black Ball of a propective member. Both are highly regarded. How do you stand on those two? Will a Catholic belong to a secret organization? Freedom and accepting of all people. Reverend did you accept Charles Manson? Freedom amd accepting all people may have a different meaning to some. We pay a price for freedom and not all people Reverend abid by your agenda. Do you? How do you feel about the Catholic Church? I do believe Reverend there are somethings here that may disqualify your statement. Tell me I am wrong.
You are wrong.
Oh, and the issue for discussion here (you seem to have missed it) is scouting in the US, and whether worthy gay and lesbian parents or young people should be afforded the same opportunity as others in an otherwise excellent organization.
Roger stated: the issue for discussion here is scouting in the US, and whether worthy gay and lesbian parents or young people should be afforded the same opportunity as others
Actually, that is secondary issue to a bigger issue, which is one of morality and the rights of parents. And before I get attacked I hope that readers will at least have the courtesy to hear me out.
Morals are a very personal issue, one defined by each individual based on their versions of what is right, wrong, fair and unfair. I believe we can agree on one thing that being it is not right for anyone to impose their morals on others against their will.
We should also agree on a second point and that is a right of free association, in that we each have a right to associate with those whom we chose, with those who hold our same beliefs and to join organizations that support those beliefs. This should especially be true when it comes to those with whom we trust our children.
Scouting is a private organization with a clearly identified charter, if one does not like that charter one is free to not join the organization. To join an organization to then force, by use of the legal system, that organization to change its charter, so as to suit the desires of others, is an imposition of their morality upon that organization. Doing so is wrong.
Instead, those who believe that it is fair and reasonable to have gay men take adolescent boys on overnight sleepovers are free to form their own organization and let their children be entrusted to those who agree with this morality.
Likewise, those who disagree should be free to have an organization where such actions do not occur.
Those who do wish to impose their morality on the Scouts in this fashion are in essence declaring their morality to be superior to the morality of those with whom they disagree and is in fact contrary to many principles that are normally promoted by progressives.
Dennis – First, thanks for sharing. You are right to anticipate attacks on this forum. Attack seems the order of the day here, so it’s especially refreshing to have you carefully disclosing what will be considered reactionary or worse by many. I will avoid attacking – my thanks is genuine.
I will engage you on the issue, however. And also your proclivity for “turning the tables.”
I agree with you in principle of course, that morals are a very personal issue, and shouldn’t be imposed but rather nurtured and respected across our differences. How that plays out, however, sends us down different roads. You would have me honor the morals of those who choose to distance themselves from homosexuals. I can do that to a degree, even as I stand in solidarity and openness to my gay and lesbian friends and relatives. I would have you honor the morals of those like myself who celebrate the wholeness and worthiness of gay and lesbian persons.
Where we disagree plainly is when a private organization with discriminatory policies seeks to utilize public facilities, as in Berkeley in 1997. The courts have consistently supported an inclusive body politic, and withheld funds from religious and secular organizations that do not uphold the freedoms and protections guaranteed under law.
I would point out that the pressure for the Scouts to become more open is not entirely from outside forces. This is why I raised the question whether perhaps local chapters of the Sea Scouts are “looking the other way,” and not abiding by national Scout policy. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt. Sea Scouts is a great program, and I know there has been an active chapter in Benicia – I’m curious, and thus raising the question. (You will also note once again the blog article I referred to earlier, written by a Scout leader who has been working from within for change.)
Finally – very clever of you to turn the tables, using progressive arguments and values (“Those who…wish to impose their morality on the Scouts….”) to spin a defense of conservatives. I’ve observed you to do this on a number of occasions. It really is very powerful if not especially persuasive.
Oh, one last thing – this comment forum is a perfect place to raise a side issue relevant to the original article. My objection to changing the subject is when comments degenerate into personal attacks and “us and them” generalizations.
Roger, you have touched on many things, I will try to address most of them (your words are in italics):
Attack seems the order of the day here Yes, I note that the ‘Baker Street irregulars’ have already checked in.
my thanks is genuine. — Refreshing to have a gentlemen in the discourse.
I would have you honor the morals of those like myself who celebrate the wholeness and worthiness of gay and lesbian persons.— Nothing I have said would reflect otherwise, though that may have been read into my comments.
Where we disagree plainly is when a private organization with discriminatory policies seeks to utilize public facilities — I have, as yet, expressed no opinion on this subject, but will; It is within the purview of Berkeley to do so.
local chapters of the Sea Scouts are “looking the other way,” — As long as they are upfront that they do and new members are aware of this policy, then it is the choice of the parents to participate or not.
Sea Scouts is a great program — I agree, having been a Cub, Boy and Sea Scout. My father was Troop Leader and Skipper, total of twenty plus years.
You will also note once again the blog article I referred to earlier I did note that, as well as the profanities directed at scouting.
Finally – very clever of you to turn the tables Thank you
I’ve observed you to do this on a number of occasions. I appreciate that you follow my contributions.
It really is very powerful if not especially persuasive. Dang.
Oh, one last thing… My objection to changing the subject is when comments degenerate into personal attacks and “us and them” generalizations — I do not believe I was guilty of that on this thread, though I may well have been elsewhere in response to the all the usual suspects. I do not recall the specifics of any past exchanges with you, but this one has been of interest and is appreciated.
Thanks Dennis – nice chatting with you today. “roger,” over and out.
Reverend you will not answer my very easy questions. Reverend you say you want open and accepting of all people and freedom. Does your freedom mean freedom of speech? I do not think so. You have said in writing about a Forum writer to stay out of local politics. Also have made comments on sensorship. Try Jim Pugh on the local issue and I believe that qualifies as sensorship. Do you think Fox News, Conservative writers and Conservative talk radio hosts are part of your freedom, open and acceptance of all people. Do you want to ban some of them because they do not talk your agenda? I would hope not. Now Reverend there is no doubt you are agenda driven. That is fine. But please do not try to pull the wool over the readers eyes with your words of freedom, open and accepting of people. Reverend it does not seem to me you do not comment and live by those rules. Maybe I am wrong. Reverend I will stand by my statement that you are agenda driven. Reverend I do believe your agenda is driven by your Liberal beliefs. No problem with that. But remember Reverend they are your beliefs and not everyone believes the way you do. So I would like to hear you say that will accept others beliefes and will only say you just do not agree with thyem.
Bob Livesay calling someone agenda driven is, in a word, hilarious. Like all of his nonsense.
Bob it is clear you are jealous of Roger because he is more respected in this community than you will ever be. Oh, and there was that election thing on which you staked what little credibility you ever had. Roger managed a great campaign and the voters rejected your mendacity and you just can’t get over it. How sad.
What have you ever contributed to this town Bob? When you take on Roger Straw, you are way out of your league.
Bob – the issue for discussion here (you STILL seem to have missed it) is the great Sea Scouts program that Donna Beth wrote about, and the side conversation I raised about scouting in the US, and whether worthy gay and lesbian parents or young people should be afforded the same opportunity as others in an otherwise excellent organization. What do you think?
Reverend you do not know me at all nor does Mike?. Yes I do have an agenda I am a Conservative and want Romney to win the Presidency. That is not even up for discussion. My feelings are well known. Am I anti gay and Lesbian, no I am not. Am I anti Gay marriage, no I am not. Am I anti abortion, No I am not. I do believe and have always believed it is the indivuals decision on abortion. Not mine. Same on Gay rights, I do not have any issue with Gay marriage or gay and Lesbians as individuals. Because I am a Conservative I am labeled that way, anti abortion, anti gay marriage and anti gay and lesbian. It is not a political issue it is a personal issue and should not be in the political conversation. Yes Liberals have tagged Conservatives with those anti issues. Mike your comment is out of line. Every comment I made about thye Mayor we are now seeing. There are members of the council that will not speak to her. SDhe polarized the council and has lost a great deal of support. My LTTE about hyer style and agenda were right on. So she won, so what. She is very ineffective as a mayor Mike and you kinow it. Back to the topic. Reverend you broughyt all of this to the topic comment section.; Now you can not blame Dennis or myself for that. You did it and we commented. You just did not like it. You just attackied Dennis, Conservatives and I assume me because I am a conservative. Last question Reverend. I understand why you will not tolerate certain language references. Now what if a young boy wanted to join your troop and that boy was openly a Conservative, anti abortion and anti gay marriage. Would your freedom, open and accepting all people work for this young man and you would accept him with open arms. Please answer that question.
Thanks Bob – I didn’t know you have an openness to gays, lesbians and gay marriage. Conservatives and liberals alike have found a lot of common ground here in support of our sisters and brothers, friends and colleagues. I’m glad we agree on something!
Your comment that it is a personal issue and should not be in the political conversation is a bit fudgy though: personal issues have been thrust into the political arena, and thus must be addressed with political savvy and sometimes even legislation, judicial settings and power politics – to protect the freedoms we hold dear for all.
You mentioned abortion. A lot of folks think all people of faith are anti-abortion. They most decidedly are not! I and many others in the more “progressive” faith communities believe that there are times in the lives of girls and women when a safe and legal abortion is the best choice, and a very personal choice, and a morally responsible thing to do. It is rarely an easy choice, often an emotionally painful experience (all the more so because of the anti-abortionist’s guilt trips and all-knowing theological ultimatums), and those who make this choice need our support and respect.
To answer your closing question, yes, of course I would welcome a conservative anti-abortion, anti-gay young man into a scout troop. The Forum pages and talk shows are so incredibly polarized these days, but in our daily lives, in our homes and the places we frequent, folks are pretty tolerant and even loving.
I don’t know if the Sea Scouts take donations or not but if they do I have an old fiberglass 18 1/2 foot canoe to donate. It would need a whole lot of work to get it ship shape and I don’t care if the kid working on it is gay or straight.
Reverend why would you think I may not? Because I am a Conservative?
Bob, it really is all about you, isn’t it?
Reverend in my hometown we had a Catholic Boy Scout Troop. I would only assume they would welcome me. I never tried to join that troop as I was Protestant. My troop was very integrated. We never thought anything of it. We just were all Boy Scouts belonging to a troop. Do you follow the Boy Scout bylaws or go out on your own. I guess if you do not follow the bylaws you could be decertified. Is that correct. I would never join an organization that had the ability to blackball or discriminate against anyone. I did belong to the DeMolay as a young man but got upset with their rules and left without finishing going through the chairs. I was next in-line. So as you see I am a Conservative but also believe in equal rights for all.
You mention equal rights. Yes, equal rights for all is the law of the land, and an emergent American cornerstone. The founding fathers favored only white male landowners. In time, Jefferson’s “All men are created equal” came to include women and men of all races, and we continue to build upon and expand those categories in our own time.
Does your Boy Scout troop follow the Boy Scout bylaws? Please answer that for me. It will help me understand if your troop is certified.
I have no troop. Never had one. The issue is of importance to me. I’m not interested in you and me. Please try to stay on subject.
Reverend I am on subject. You said “in my troop”. Would I not think you have a troop. Check your comment on July 28th. You said “in my troop” just what does that mean. Just trying to understand what you are trying to say. We do have a lot in common. An answer would help me understand what you meant by “in my Troop”. Thank you.
Please read again – I did not write “in my troop.” My words, in answer to your hypothetical question: “of course I WOULD welcome a conservative anti-abortion, anti-gay young man into a scout troop.” [emphasis added] Use of the subjunctive indicates a hypothetical.
Here we are again, off topic, debating what someone said or how they said it. What’s important here is not you or me, but the wonderful Sea Scout program, and who may or may not become a member or volunteer. What is important in this context is a fuller understanding, appreciation and acceptance of our gay and lesbian friends and family members – not what Bob or Roger would do in some imagined scenario.
Thanks for weighing in with your opinion, Bob. I’m glad we agree on this.
Your comment was quotes from others not you. It is confusing. Sorry about that.
Does anyone know if there is still an active Benicia Sea Scouts chapter? Or … anyone know someone who would know? At the very least it would be nice to tell them about RKJ’s offer (above) of a fiberglass canoe donation.