-Winds Glory

WINDS GLORY

By: R Jackson

If you want to get hands-on skills, you might want to take Mr. Stan Lorbach’s boating class. “Thrilling, difficult and dangerous” are three words used to describe racing on Winds Glory, a 30-ft Cal. 30.3 sailboat. This boat is made out of fiberglass, and it was built in Maine 42 years ago.

Mr.Lorbach has two different classes: 2^nd period is the diesel engine building class, and 3^rd and 4^th period is the sailing class. He grades his class according to knowledge of boating, participation, and attendance.

Winds Glory used to have an engine, but presently does not have one; however, “The Marine Action Group (MAG) is going to put a new one in called a Yanmar 3 cylinder,” said Mr. Lorbach.

Winds Glory has raced in the Rolex Regatta for two years, and this year the students came in 6^th place, four points away from 3^rd place. They raced between St. Thomas and St. John. Mr. Lorbach said, “The boat works properly for a very old boat.” The racing class that they were in was the Jib & Main class, but one day he hopes that they will be in the Spinnaker class, which is a faster class.

Winds Glory, called the sloop, has only one mast. This boat can hold up to 50 people, but Mr. Lorbach prefers to have 10 people in it just for safety. “The cabin is a work in progress, but once it’s fixed, it can be like an apartment without a washer or a dryer.”

Mr. Lorbach was born in Florida, but he grew up in South Carolina. He attended Clemson University and got his PhD in Biochemistry. He enjoys mountain biking, jigsaw puzzles, and reads books from Russian authors. His accomplishments include international racing and construction of work projects.

He intends to build something that lasts for the next generation to add onto, and he has a positive influence on lives of others. He feels that you should do onto others as you would want them to do onto you, and get as much as you can out of school. He also wants children to not watch as much T.V. Teaching [character] traits is the real goal for his boating class. “Being able to rely on yourself is very good,” he said.