Elizabeth Henderson, a dedicated Modern Sailing member and recipient of our 2023 Top Student award, recently earned the Spinnaker Rating, which qualifies her to bareboat charter certain J/Boats with a spinnaker. In her own words, Elizabeth details her journey from completing ASA 108 to becoming an integral part of a racing crew and learning to competently and confidently fly the spinnaker.
Starting with completing the Racing and Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinics and joining Drop-in Races, Elizabeth has embraced each opportunity to learn and challenge herself on the J/105s. Aboard the J/99 Mymble, she learned critical lessons during demanding races about handling the spinnaker and overcoming unexpected difficulties. Through hands-on practice, guidance from skilled mentors, and Modern Sailing’s comprehensive programs, she highlights the growth and confidence gained from her experiences with the spinnaker, emphasizing the value of training, teamwork, and the support of a well-structured sailing community.
"After completing all my ASA courses through ASA 108, I was eager to take my sailing skills to the next level. I turned to racing, knowing it would challenge me and help me become a better sailor. I took the Racing Clinic and Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic and started racing in the BYC Winter Chowder Series on the J/105s Nirvana and Resolute, rotating through different positions in each Drop-in Rrace. Racing in light wind was the perfect way to build confidence and learn under ideal conditions.
"After about a year, I joined J/99 'Team Mymble' as pit, trim, and tactician. Racing with a team taught me there’s always more to learn. Having a coach on board for the club races adds a layer of security — you have someone to help you navigate any mistakes and recover effectively. However, it was when we were out on our own for my first YRA race last spring that taught me the importance of handling the spinnaker, not only when things are going well, but especially under challenging conditions. In winds building up from 15 to over 20 kts, things become unstable quickly. We encountered a major wrap around the forestay and couldn’t bring the kite down or raise our jib.
"Forced into problem-solving mode, we wrapped the kite until it was tight enough to stop catching air and allowed us to navigate safely back to the marina. That day ended with me in a bosun chair for nearly two hours, meticulously unwrapping what I now call a 'gift of experience.'
"While the crew was a bit shaken, I was more motivated than ever to learn not just how to fly the kite, but also how to manage unexpected issues and ideally, avoid them altogether. But there’s always the question — how can you practice with a spinnaker to gain experience without having 'prior experience?' That’s where Modern Sailing comes in with the plan and the Racing Program.
"While private lessons were financially out of reach for me, I was fortunate to join the Crew List and landed a crew-call spot on J/99 Mymble, where Captain Kira Maixner was teaching a lovely couple, also learning spinnaker handling. Over a few sessions, Stuart Strickland (the owner of Mymble) and I crewed for them, and gained a wealth of insights and tips from Kira, all of which boosted my confidence.
"When I felt ready to pursue the Spinnaker Rating Evaluation (aka 'spinnaker checkout'), I asked Team Mymble to join me, and we set a date. Captain Kira, fresh back from leading an ASA 108 course, made time in her schedule to guide Stuart and me. We prepared with course objectives, YouTube videos, and sailing forums, coming in with a few questions and a bit of healthy anxiety. Kira had each of us rig up the kite and walked us through maneuvers like windward and leeward broach recovery, emergency douses, and Man Overboard drills. We even practiced recovering the kite from the water and learned strategies for various 'oh $%#!' situations.
"While my previous classes helped, this one prepared me for those moments when ‘it hits the fan.’ And it will — eventually. But now, I feel more equipped to handle it. The spinnaker checkout is undeniably an investment, but it’s worth every dollar to avoid costly mistakes. Plus, Modern Sailing allows members to split the cost with another person, making it more accessible. I don’t know of another club that offers spinnaker checkouts in the Bay, and the experience, skills, and confidence you gain are invaluable. For anyone wanting more practice with spinnaker handling, or wants to get rated to bareboat charter with a spinnaker, Modern's path is the best way to elevate your abilities both on and off the racecourse.
"I can certainly attest to the importance of the skills and the valuable discussions we had around how to get out of a sticky spinnaker situation.
"Team Mymble is now flying the kite with confidence since Stuart and I completed the Spinnaker Rating Evaluation. We have surfed downwind at 15.3 kts — and yesterday we overtook Resolute and two other J/105s on our downwind run to the finish line at the YRA midwinters. PHRF put us back in the results, but it sure felt great to pull in ahead of Yellow Fin and Archimedes. That kind of fun is only made possible by being able to 'pop the kite' and sail it with confidence.
"This photo was taken by Stuart shortly before we passed them ALL."
