DURHAM, N.C. – When you lease a slip, you probably should have a boat first. But Duke University Federal Credit Union CEO Lee Fogle jumped into things a little backward. "I leased a slip before I even had a boat," he explained with a chuckle. Then all he needed was sailing lessons, which taught him how to trim the sails, dock, and read the maps among other things. "I just love being on the water," he said, having enjoyed different types of boats as long as he has been a credit union CEO. Fogle, 57, said he had powerboats forever, but about five years ago, he decided to slow down. With a powerboat, Fogle said, you are traveling 20 to 25 knots but when you are sailing, it is more like five knots. Many misunderstand that you can only sail in the direction the wind is blowing. Not true, Fogle said. "You can sail a boat in just about any direction but into the wind." "Sailing is all about the journey, being slow, being peaceful," Fogle said of his excursions out on his 31-foot Catalina. Now he, like the other sailors, refers to powerboats as "stinkpots." According to Fogle, "When you shut that motor off, it's just nothing." Fogle said he really enjoys the "mental game" of sailing, too, and trying to "outsmart the wind." "Part of sailing is about the adventure and risk you have," he said. One trip about three years ago Fogle encountered a little too much adventure. When he was out with a credit union CEO-who he would not name-he was reminded of the perils of the sport. While in shallow waters with this other CEO, whom he described as a novice sailor at the time, they managed to run aground. When the boat lurched, Fogle was thrown overboard. He must have gotten his leg tangled in a root or something that pulled him under. When the other credit union CEO got the boat turned around to get him-a feat in itself because the rudder had been torn off- Fogle thought his leg was broken and was having trouble swimming. At one point in the rescue effort the boat swung over top of him but fortunately went to the other side of him and he was able to come back up for air and get back aboard with some assistance. He really thought he was going to drown, Fogle said. Even after all that, Fogle said the four times a month he is able to get out on the water is not nearly as often as he would like. [email protected]