SUBJECT: 12 y/o girl partner

Submitted by Tony Shawley (63.83.151.173) from MISSOURI on

Went to Stockton early yesterday morning with my 12 y/o daughter Sarah. As I have for the past several months, put her behind the wheel of the Skeeter as we launched. As she hooked the dead-man to her life vest the guy beside us launching his Mega-buck Wizbang boat watched. His domestic partner was standing on the ramp waiting on him.

He got a little wide eyed when Sarah flashed the lights as the boat was deep enough, lowered the trim, started the motor, checked that water was coming from the "pee hole", then backed the boat off the trailer. He was even more amazed when, as I parked the truck, she gently placed the boat gently alongside the dock. As I approached, she cycled the bilge to assure the hull was intact and the plug was securely in place.

He asked how long she had been doing this. I told him "Off and on from the time I bought the boat." I felt sorry for the domestic partner. He just looked at her and said "See a little kid can do that why can't you!?!?" She just shrugged her shoulders.

After backing away from the ramp/courtesy dock area we prepped our rod and reels. As he began to head away from the dock we also began to head out. His jaw dropped when I occpied the passenger seat and Sarah drove right between the breakwaters and out of the cove, burried the throttle and headed down lake.

Proud of all 3 of my kids and hope they will all be able to enjoy the sport that has brought me hours of joy and relaxation as well as pass it on to my grandchildren. With loving supervision and careful teaching they will.