At the helm in South Oyster Bay, near Point Lookout After several lessons spanning January and February, Lucas Hildreth soloed his small sailboat. Said his father, Bradley Hildreth "It's been an adventure that has taken him from South Oyster Bay to Cold Spring Harbor to Garvies Point, in a variety of winter weather conditions."

It was his fourth weekly sailing lesson in a row. While everyone else was shoveling their driveways after the recent 8 inch snow fall, Lucas was clearing snow off the dock at Garvies point, preparing for another lesson with his father. Little did he know how significant that day would be for him. The breeze was light and steady from the northwest as they set out. The sky was clear and blue. Captain Lucas guided his good ship Endless Calendar, a 7 foot sailing dinghy, heartily through the waves.

They sailed for an hour, during which time Lucas successfully tacked into the wind against a tidal current that was flowing into a nearby inlet. They were visited by two kayakers out for a paddle, which made a total of 4 people on the water that day. After the crowd subsided, Lucas took his father back to the dock. His father stepped out and Lucas took Endless Calendar out solo. Captain Lucas did a great job tacking away from shore and back, and generally getting the feel of his craft without 200+ lbs. of fatherly ballast aboard. An hour later he returned to the dock with a huge smile on his face, completely hooked on the sport of sailing.

Soloing off Garvies Point Lucas plans to take the Power Squadrons Boating Course on 3/19 at 7:30 PM at the High School. The 8 week course covers seamanship, boat handling, boat types, rules of the road, navigation aids, regulations, adverse conditions, marine VHF radio, knots, trailering and introductory piloting. He also plans to bring his boat on the GC Buffalos camping trip on 5/31 to Lake Taghkanic State Park.

Ready to enjoy some gusty winds at Cold Spring Harbor.