Setting Sail in Fort Worth:

The first time I ever went sailing was truly magical, as I'd always suspected it would be. I had wanted to try something new and adventurous after moving back to the metroplex, and sailing was the one activity I'd never tried but always dreamed of experiencing. Some time before I moved back to the city, while browsing the internet for new and fun things to do, I had discovered a singles' sailing club in Fort Worth called The Cowtown Mariners .

Never one to jump in too quickly, I sat back for quite a while and gave it some thought as to whether or not I should 'go for it' and brave the waves. In the end, I pushed myself into going to a weekly club meeting that The Mariners hold each Thursday night at Ernie's Seafood Restaurant, out in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area by North East Mall. I had a blast! The club members welcomed me like I was an old friend, and before I realized, I was planning to go on a moonlight sail that Friday night. I could hardly wait!

Though my sabotaging-self kept trying to curb my plans, I kept on track and was soon heading out to Eagle Mountain Lake where the club sails or races every scheduled weekend. We would be embarking from The Fort Worth Boat Club that evening...just before sundown, for a leisurely night sail. I had been instructed to wear closed-toe shoes, preferably sneakers, and to bring my choice of snacks and drinks to enjoy while out on the water.

Even though the club usually charges a small per-person fee to cover various costs of sailing and the like (I paid ten-dollars...I believe), I found it to be worth every cent. I know my time aboard Pandemonium, captained by club founder Gary Debenport, was an experience that was truly priceless! I'll never forget that night out on the water: the quiet, mystical way we seemed to cut through the waves, the short time Captain Gary let me at the helm...adding to the enthusiasm I could barely contain. It was the night I fell in love with sailing, and the day I discovered a great bunch of adventurous spirits...sailing the lakes of D/FW.

The Mariners welcome singles and couples alike (many members come in pairs) and offer sailing classes throughout the year. Known to be a partying...fun bunch, The Cowtown Mariners hold killer parties for just-about every occasion from their Annual Christmas Party, to A Haunted Halloween Spooktacular Party, to their regular wine tastings, to a pool-side bash. You name it...they like to celebrate it. Check out the Cowtown Mariners' Calendar of Events.

Who knew sailing could be so fun!

More Information on D/FW and Nationwide Sailing Clubs:

• DFW Sailing Singles Meet-up Group

• Lake Worth Sailing Club

• Dallas Area Sailing

• Dallas/Fort Worth Area Sailing & Yacht Clubs

• U S Sails: Nationwide Sailing Information

• Sailing For the Kids

WORKS CITED:

www.cowtownmariners.com

www.fwbc.com

www.DFWSailingSingles.com

www.googlesearch.com

www.mapquest.com