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At Close Quarters

True sailing stories by Ros de Vries — a small boat bowgirl in San Francisco.

How I went from newbie sailor to Commodore, for next to nothing.

How I went from newbie sailor to Commodore, for next to nothing.

A learn to sail story from someone who found her pathway into the sailing community — with little money and lots of determination.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Mar 29
Part 9 — Racing.

Part 9 — Racing.

Yesterday’s SF Bay Singlehanded Sailing Society Corinthian race felt like every sailing event of my entire career rolled into one.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Feb 28, 2021
‘Round the Island: An Alameda New Year’s Day boating tradition continues

‘Round the Island: An Alameda New Year’s Day boating tradition continues

The San Francisco Bay Area’s boating community sailed safe and sane into 2021, moods as buoyant and bright as the ships on parade.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Jan 2, 2021
Part 8 — Bugging Out in Clipper Cove

Part 8 — Bugging Out in Clipper Cove

In which I found a blissful moment with a really small boat.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Aug 4, 2020
Eight Bells for Island Yacht Club?

Eight Bells for Island Yacht Club?

50 years of Alamedia estuary racing history, vanished by progress and a pandemic.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Jun 7, 2020
Do we sail, or not sail, during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Do we sail, or not sail, during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If there is a time to assess our sense of personal and social responsibility, the time is now.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Apr 7, 2020
Part 7 — Dropping Anchor off Catalina

Part 7 — Dropping Anchor off Catalina

In which a fouled anchor results in four friends getting more from a vacation than they imagined.
Go to the profile of Ros de Vries
Ros de Vries
Mar 1, 2020
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