EVERETT — Clay Canfield is no Capt. Bligh.
He has little to fear from a teenage mutiny even though he’s the skipper of the Everett Sea Scouts. As a volunteer, he has helped sustain the Everett-based program, which introduces teens to various maritime activities.
“I’ve always enjoyed sailing and I’ve always felt like there is very little mentoring going on in our society,” Canfield said. “I felt that the best contribution I could make is with youth sailing.”
The Sea Scouts, much like their land-based brethren, instruct teens on a variety of subjects that are useful to any budding mariner. Canfield has been mentoring teens in basic seamanship for 13 years, teaching them skills that are important on land and sea.
“Lately I’ve noticed that most kids feel they need to do everything right all the time,” Canfield said. “I want to see those mistakes, because when you make a mistake it’s not failure, it’s an opportunity to learn. It means they are doing something.”
As part of the program, Canfield is responsible for two vessels — a 32-foot Mariner ketch named Mast Confusion and a 24-foot San Juan sloop called Fearless.
Canfield enjoys the wordplay, which he considers a maritime tradition. The Scouts refer to themselves as the “Clewless” — which reflects Canfield’s easygoing humor.
“The clew is the rearmost corner of the sail and that’s the corner you use to control the sail itself,” Canfield said. “If you don’t have that, then you don’t have control.”
According to volunteer Georgia Malinsky, Canfield is not only in control but the anchor that keeps the program from going adrift.
“A great skipper, very methodical and orderly on how he approaches teaching,” Malinsky said. “He’s always asking for input from the Scouts.”
Malinsky, who is in her fourth year volunteering for the Sea Scouts, praises the Sea Scouts for its success as a mentoring program and Canfield in particular.
“He prepares them for life, not just sailing. Sailing is very interactive and you come away with a complete experience that you have really learned something,” Malinsky said. “These experiences can take them anywhere in life.”
Canfield plans on making sure the Everett Sea Scout organization does just that. Sea Scouts often take their skills and experience and use them in the Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Canfield is looking for more teens to come aboard.
“We are always looking for new sailors who are interested in high-adventure programs like Sea Scouts,” Canfield said. “We’re currently accepting anyone from 14 to 21 years old who is interested in what we offer — adventure.”
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
More information
For more information on the Everett Sea Scouts, call skipper Clay Canfield at 425-471-6578 or go to www.clewless.3h.com.
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