The only reason for me saying anything about myself on this blog is to encourage anyone to step out of their comfort zone and try something different. When I first tried sailing I really didn’t like it; aged 26 I was not impressed after a week (RYA Competent Crew) of being becalmed on a small boat with a gnarled old sea-dog Skipper with poor personal hygiene, a monosyllabic Para soldier and an arrogant young naval Lieutenant who fancied himself as a latter day Hornblower. But I gave it another go in 2008 and really loved the excitement of the Round the Island Race (IOW) when I crewed for a friend. I’d got the sailing bug!
“A Ship in Harbour is safe – but that’s not what ships are built for.”
John Augustus Shedd
I did a few more courses, managed to crash the boat into 6 others in Yarmouth Harbour on my RYA Day Skipper, went on a few expeditions on larger yachts and eventually I felt that I knew a bowline from a clove hitch. Last winter I did an online Yachmaster Theory Course (the maths practically did my head in) and more recently I did an RYA Coastal Skipper course in Storm Gareth which was enough to convince me that I will stay in harbour in a Force 8! Essentially, it’s time spent on the water and lots of practice that has really made me feel like a sailor instead of an imposter!
Vela Tour of Britain 2019 