Adventure; take me out of my comfort zone, a challenge, the excitement of it all, a dream come true and a chance of a lifetime, were all catch phrases echoed by the participants of the Clipper Around the World 2009/2010 Yacht Race.
Rick Palmer, a financial planner from Rockingham applied for a position of a crew member, when the Clipper Yachts were at Fremantle. They were resting during the New Years break from a leg of the world race. Rick being a keen sailor and member of The Cruising Yacht Club of Western Australia, organised a meet and greet function recently for other participants, in order to share experiences, ideas and start the team building process, after all it is a race.
Rick stated his reason for applying to join the crew, was the uniqueness of the opportunity and the excitement and peace of seeing the sunset off the coast of Northern WA
The Clipper Race was instigated by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, he was the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world. The first around the world race was held in 1996, his dream was to give anyone the ability regardless of their background or level of sailing knowledge, the chance to experience ocean racing.
For many it is a once in a life time adventure, for others it is the catalyst in changing ones life. It is said once you have competed in this race, with just you and your crew against and working with nature, your life is never the same again. This is true for Anne Williams who had just returned from a leg of the race which is still racing now. She entertained, enthralled and excited both the participants and their families at The Cruising Yacht Club, with stories from her recent experience. When asked if anyone did not go ahead with the race, she replied “only one gentleman, who expected his chardonnay served to him on the deck every day at 4pm”.
She continued that life on board was always a team effort, from cleaning, cooking, to handing up a made coffee by passing it from other crew members along the galley then up the hatch to go on deck. The story that had the most impact was of a gentleman who during a storm slipped overboard and was in the ocean for nine minutes before being rescued, it was all agreed this was excellent timing in getting the crew together, the yacht turned around and finding him in meter high waves bobbing up and down, and then rescuing him. Anne advised that there is a huge team effort and when the race is on, the teams always found more spirit, dug deeper and kept going stronger and further.
The race is open to any person, young or old, who is relatively fit and healthy and has a zest for life, who does not mind working as part of a team. It is agreed that no experience is necessary as full training is provided by the company. The Skipper of each yacht is fully experienced and certified.
The afternoon certainly had the participants wishing their race was now, not in 2010. David Oliver stated “that it was the overall challenge of completing in something way outside my comfort zone and the chance to meet and work with a new group of people; I also love the idea of international travel without being on a tour. My greatest fear is that I may be seasick and not be able to function properly” This fear was repeated by a number of the participants.
Two other Rockingham residents who are competing are John Ross and Megan Thomas, who are both so excited to be learning from others and have always had a dream to take a yacht and travel around the world. This way they obtain their dream and do so whilst learning team building and individual aspects of life.
Simon Jodrell, 22, said for him it was going to be a challenge of a lifetime, he jokingly stated “he would miss waking up at 3am and going for a kebab, but felt that if the race grew any bigger he was thinking he may set up his own kebab shop in the middle of the ocean for people like him.”
For whatever reason, this race for any individual who is participating is going to be one of the highlights of that persons life, the dream, the challenges, the overcoming of obstacles and the sheer joy of it, is worth every second of the trip and more. Applications are still being considered so if you are up to it, please link up at http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/.
This is the only organisation to offer to any person, regardless of any experience, the opportunity to compete in a round the world yacht race. Ages of participants cross many generations, the occupations are different, but the adventure is in their hearts and the dream is on the horizon. Life is short, live it, experience it and dare to do it, and you will become a better person because of it.
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