RC Sailing

When I was about 12 years old, my dad gifted me what became my favorite toy of my teenage years. A remote control sailboat. In my late forties now, my favorite toy is again the same.

In 2015, shortly after we moved to San Diego, I found out about the existence of San Diego Argonauts (remote control model boating club of San Diego) and San Diego’s beautiful Model Boat Pond located right in the middle of Mission Bay. Since then I have been addicted.

I raced sailboats, windsurfers, and even kiteboards through high school, college and afterwards. I always enjoyed competitive sailing. To me competitive sailing symbolizes men’s struggle within nature and against each other. Sailing races integrate the probabilistic elements of nature with geometry, physics, as well as strategy and tactics, like no other sport.

I enjoy competitive sailing with dinghies and other types of boats, yet I find competitive sailing with remote control sailboats so much more rewarding. RC Sailing combines all the mental challenges of competitive sailing with more socializing and cardio as you walk up and down the pond, condensed into a shorter time frame.

Another thing I like a lot about RC Sailing is that – you are not so consumed with your own drama – instead you are seeing the whole fleet, all your mistakes, and others’ moves in one big clear picture. Imagine 10 starts and 10 finishes in just 2 hours with olympic and national level sailors. No better sailing practice than that for tactics and strategy. It is like playing speed chess at Washington Square Park in New York City with world class chess players. And, I really enjoy hanging out with older friends most of whom are 60 to 95 yrs old.

Furthermore, the San Diego Model Boat Pond’s setting is probably the best in the world. Below are some videos and pictures from the San Diego Model Boat Pond, and some links to relevant websites for those interested in learning more about RC Sailing.