Post by Marc LeVine on Jun 11, 2007 14:57:33 GMT -5
Teams' goal: Stay afloat
75 participate in Fair Haven boat-building festival
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/11/07
BY SAMETTA M. THOMPSON
KEYPORT BUREAU
FAIR HAVEN — Tasneem Nathari will tell you that building a wooden canoe from scratch takes many hours of physical work.
The 10-year-old will also tell you that to be successful at it, "you always have to learn how to measure, listen and pay attention to math."
Nathari was one of 75 people who took part in the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association's ninth annual Wooden Boat Fest. About seven different families and two nonprofit organizations were broken into teams to build 10 canoes in a single weekend.
The groups began putting the canoes together Saturday around 8 a.m. on the grounds of Fair Haven Firehouse on River Road. They finished around noon on Sunday, and by 3 p.m. the canoes were ready to go on a cruise in the Navesink River.
Participants used a 16-foot sheet of marine plywood, lumber and power tools to construct the canoes and paddles. All the boats were painted white for the event, but teams were allowed to keep the 50-pound canoes and design them to their liking. All participants received certificates.
Nathari, of the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold, had about four people on her team. Her brother, Taalib, 12, and friend, Shaquan, 11, named the canoe "Ghost of Poseidon" for the Greek god of the sea and earthquakes. Taalib said he wanted it to carry a "strong message" that the boat "could conquer the ocean."
For Brad Cooper and his wife, Bonnie, of Rumson, the event was an early birthday celebration for one of their two children, Benjamin, who turns 9 Wednesday. This was the family's first time taking part in the boat festival.
"I learned you can't rush it," Benjamin said about building boats. "I think I am going to like putting it in the water."
His sister, Danielle, 11, said she learned all about teamwork and patience.
Howell resident Tom Comer built his canoe with help from his two sons, Ian, 11, and Martin, 9, and their grandfather, Don. For this team, putting together the centerpiece of the canoe was most challenging.
Donald Warren, 18, of Freehold said he learned that "teamwork is the best way to get something done."
His teammate, Chloe Williams, 13, also of Freehold, said this event was quite an experience for her.
"Having communication with other teammates and knowing that you are going to ride something you built," was the best part of the event, she said.
Sharif Jackson is a senior youth worker at Project U.S.E. Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy in Tabernacle, Burlington County. The organization is a residential program for adjudicated young men.
"It's very important working together as a group and team," said Jackson, who was in charge of five young men Sunday. "I saw leadership in the guys, and they supported each other."
The best part, Jackson said, was, ''the fact that they started together and finished together."
For Emmanuel Hooper, 18, a member of Jackson's group, taking part in the event was a "bonding experience."
75 participate in Fair Haven boat-building festival
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/11/07
BY SAMETTA M. THOMPSON
KEYPORT BUREAU
FAIR HAVEN — Tasneem Nathari will tell you that building a wooden canoe from scratch takes many hours of physical work.
The 10-year-old will also tell you that to be successful at it, "you always have to learn how to measure, listen and pay attention to math."
Nathari was one of 75 people who took part in the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association's ninth annual Wooden Boat Fest. About seven different families and two nonprofit organizations were broken into teams to build 10 canoes in a single weekend.
The groups began putting the canoes together Saturday around 8 a.m. on the grounds of Fair Haven Firehouse on River Road. They finished around noon on Sunday, and by 3 p.m. the canoes were ready to go on a cruise in the Navesink River.
Participants used a 16-foot sheet of marine plywood, lumber and power tools to construct the canoes and paddles. All the boats were painted white for the event, but teams were allowed to keep the 50-pound canoes and design them to their liking. All participants received certificates.
Nathari, of the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold, had about four people on her team. Her brother, Taalib, 12, and friend, Shaquan, 11, named the canoe "Ghost of Poseidon" for the Greek god of the sea and earthquakes. Taalib said he wanted it to carry a "strong message" that the boat "could conquer the ocean."
For Brad Cooper and his wife, Bonnie, of Rumson, the event was an early birthday celebration for one of their two children, Benjamin, who turns 9 Wednesday. This was the family's first time taking part in the boat festival.
"I learned you can't rush it," Benjamin said about building boats. "I think I am going to like putting it in the water."
His sister, Danielle, 11, said she learned all about teamwork and patience.
Howell resident Tom Comer built his canoe with help from his two sons, Ian, 11, and Martin, 9, and their grandfather, Don. For this team, putting together the centerpiece of the canoe was most challenging.
Donald Warren, 18, of Freehold said he learned that "teamwork is the best way to get something done."
His teammate, Chloe Williams, 13, also of Freehold, said this event was quite an experience for her.
"Having communication with other teammates and knowing that you are going to ride something you built," was the best part of the event, she said.
Sharif Jackson is a senior youth worker at Project U.S.E. Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy in Tabernacle, Burlington County. The organization is a residential program for adjudicated young men.
"It's very important working together as a group and team," said Jackson, who was in charge of five young men Sunday. "I saw leadership in the guys, and they supported each other."
The best part, Jackson said, was, ''the fact that they started together and finished together."
For Emmanuel Hooper, 18, a member of Jackson's group, taking part in the event was a "bonding experience."