Sailing, Sailing

One of many unfair stereotypes about fathers is that there are two types: the ones who are more devoted to golf than they are to their families and the ones more devoted to their boats. But just because a father isn't more devoted, it doesn't mean he can't be devoted, or that he can't share that devotion.

For example, Sarah Mergenthaler, who will be on the U.S. Olympic sailing team in China began crewing for her dad when she was 7 and is now on her way to living father Bill's dream — he was to sail in the 1980 Olympics boycotted by the States.

And a bit more on living dreams, New Forest (England) father and son Alan and Rhys Jones are planning to sail an origami-inspired boat down the Mississippi. Sail it as "in it," not as watching it course down the river as they follow its progress from the bank. Jones fils already has the record as the youngest (he's now 22) to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents. And it was this industriousness that got his father itching to do something: "After seeing me jet off in the past he wanted to do something himself."

Most likely the British duo will have better luck than Peter and Christopher Hyers, a South Carolina father and son who sailed themselves aground. Of course, sailing down a river doesn't require the same mastery of directions as does sailing the Atlantic. So — while we hate to involve another unfortunate stereotype — it won't be necessary for the Jones, unlike the Hyers, to consider putting aside their manly mania and asking for directions when they are clearly lost.