Acalanes sophomore and Sea Witch Boatswain Taylor Lindenhayn (left) takes a break with fellow crew members Cheyenne Clarke and Sierra Lameira in front of an experimental ultralight seaplane at the Clear Lake Splash-In on September 26th Photo submitted

After volunteering at the annual Clear Lake Seaplane Splash-in Sept. 25 to 27 in Lakeport, Acalanes High School sophomores Taylor Lindenhayn (15) and Hiroshi Redic (14), freshmen Brooke Metro (14) and Braedon Cuming-Timms (15), and other crewmembers of the Sea Scout ship S.S.S. Sea Witch were given free rides in various seaplanes.
The Splash-In offered seminars for pilots such as "Seaplanes and Invasive Species" and "International Flight Planning for Seaplanes," as well as flying events including Spot Landing contests, Water Bombing contests and a Grand Flying Parade of Seaplanes as the finale. The Sea Witch crew was one of three Sea Scout crews volunteering including two Lakeport-based crews, the S.S.S. Conocti Phoenix and the S.S.S. Whisper.
"They guided the seaplanes down to the lake ramp for takeoff with orange batons and kept curious onlookers a safe distance away from the spinning propellers and moving wheels. After the planes returned and landed on the water, the Sea Scouts guided the planes back up the ramp onto the field and then physically had to push many of them into the proper parking spot all while keeping an eye on children and plane buffs eager to get a closer look," said Communications Officer Rolf Lindenhayn. "A number of planes were vintage 1940's in beautiful condition like the Grumman G-44 Widgeons and there were several unusual Republic RC-3 Seabees and a Searay."
Sea Witch Boatswain, Taylor Lindenhayn, rode in a special composite material plane called a Glastar, while crew members Braedon Cuming-Timms and Alex Phillips braved the open air in single passenger ultra-light seaplanes. Seawitch Bosun's Mate, Brooke Metro, rode in a single engine flying boat.
Hiroshi Redic was impressed with the variety of seaplanes at the event. "One plane that caught my interest was called The Mermaid. It had a slick futuristic-looking design and left me speechless. I thought most sea planes would have the same design and but, wow, I was completely wrong," Redic said.
Sea Scouts is a non-profit national co-ed boating program for teens and young adults. Started in 1912, there are about 20 ships and crews in the Bay Area. Crew members learn how to operate large ships and small boats, and gain seamanship skills such as navigation, weather, first aid, water safety, and knot tying. The S.S.S. Sea Witch crew meets Tuesdays 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 225 N. Court St. Martinez and Saturdays 9-4pm on the ship at the dock in Martinez. For more information call (925) 917-0573 or go to www.seascout.org.