Hamptons Sailing Upticks During Coronavirus Summer: Opinion

Just before the Hamptons' real estate bubble burst in 2008 the sailboat activity in waters around the East End was robust. On some weekends it almost rivaled the car traffic. After the bubble burst it all but ended. On too many beautiful nights I was practically the only, if not the only, sailboat out on Gardiners Bay.

All that seems to be changing this summer. Sailing traffic on the waters of the East End is noticeably up. A political science statistics professor of mine back at George Washington University in the early 1970s said, “Sometimes you don’t need statistics; you can just see it with your own eyes.” That is what is happening nightly in the water this year. I can see more people are sailing their sailboats with my naked eye. One has to conclude that the concept of “safe distancing,” during the coronavirus pandemic has to be playing a role in this phenomenon.

Being out on the water in full sail is always a wonderful, soulful experience. However, now, with the uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis looming in the back of everyone’s mind, along with so many mandatory restrictions, the freedom sailing offers is a great healthy relief and release. Most of all, it’s very enjoyable.

Another sailing perk is not being forced to play the lottery game of getting parking at an East End beach. You can drop anchor almost anywhere near the endless miles of coastline in the various bays within the Hamptons and North Fork and go for a swim, safely! Plus, the water is clean.

It’s wonderful to see so many magnificent yachts, along with modest day sailing boats, in high feather riding the sea breezes. Many folks seem to have found time from at-home work or perhaps even misfortunate unemployment to rediscover the beauty of sailing.

Instead of being cooped up inside like pigeons, or lined up masked outside waiting your turn to go in “safely” somewhere there should be no doubt that riding the crest of waves powered by the wind is a no-mask required safe form of recreation. It’s also great for the heart, mind and soul.

If you have a boat docked, moored and even still in the driveway, if not now, when else will there be a better time to make time to sail?

T.J. Clemente is a Patch columnist.

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