By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

For Elliot and Rhys Lee of Farmington Hills, learning the ropes from their dad has a literal and figurative meaning.

Elliot, 12, and Rhys, 10, will join their dad, Paul, on their boat, Genesis, in the 2008 Bayview Mackinac Race, where he will continue to pass on his family’s sailing heritage.

“Rhys, Eliot and I all started in the junior sailing program at the Detroit Yacht Club when we were 7,” Lee said. “The kids have been on the boat since they were infants, and in summer, they’ll spend weeks at a time without seeing their house.”

The 2008 race will be Rhys’ first time on the boat for a competitive race. It will be Elliot’s second time out but, his first as a full-fledged member of the crew.

“Rhys will be a floater, and he’ll be able to chip in as much as he wants,” Lee said. “Elliot is going to be a part of the crew, which means he’ll have a regular shift, and he’ll be driving.”

Having a shift on the boat entails doing everything his dad needs him to in guiding the Genesis from Port Huron to Mackinac Island, including waking up at 3 a.m.

“Waking up at 3 a.m. and racing, for some reason I find it to be fun,” said Lee, who will be competing in his 15th Mackinac race. “You wake up and you’re racing.”

Along with sailing in the dark of night, Lee hopes his sons will be able to take away plenty of real-life knowledge and experience from their time together in the three-day race.

“It’s a huge experience that not every kids gets to have,” Lee said. “There are safety requirements, and there’s a story behind each one.

“There’s a 27-page book of requirements, each one has a story and a reason behind it that kids need to learn. They learn things you would never pick up at an amusement park.”

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.