Intensity & Intricacy On the Water from Wing Productions on Vimeo.

I’ve been selected to participate in a new program from Wind Athletes Canada to participate in a program that will allow some Canadian sailors to go down to New Zealand and learn to sail an Open 60, O Canada (ex Spirit of Canada).

This is a wonderful opportunity for me, not just because I get to sail on Canada’s most bad ass boat, but even better, I get to work with some amazing sailors and coaches. The other members of the sailing squad are members of the Canadian Sailing Team and are training for the next Olympics. (I feel a bit the odd man out on this one, being the only offshore sailor in the bunch, but whatever, different people always bring different things to the team.)

Our coaches Dan Slater and Ed Smyth are both New Zealanders and ex-America’s Cup sailors. While a may be sailing a bit of different game then these folks, I am so excited to learn from them. Just a great opportunity to

As for the program, we’ll be doing some day sails out of Viaduct Harbour for the first few days as we learn the systems on the boat and then do a few days offshore and get into a watch system. (This is going to be simply luxurious for me! I never get to sleep more than 20 minutes when I’m sailing these days. I have almost forgotten what a four hour watch is like!)

I am so grateful to Wind Athletes Canada for making this a possibility. There are so few opportunities in Canada to expand experience in offshore sailing and I really applaud the effort to bring this type of program to sailors who are ready learn and expand their horizons.

I’m hoping to do some writing along the way on this so I hope that you’ll stay tuned to find out how it all works out!

I received word from the Classe Mini that my 1000nm qualification was approved by the committee. This is great news as I have the paper to prove that I am now halfway through my Mini Transat qualifications!

The boat is once again at Boat Services Kingston and I am starting to get my head wrapped around the work list for the spring. On the list: Bottom paint, splicing and replacing some running rigging as well as changing some block positions. Nothing major luckily.

John Clark and Andy Soper have my sails at the Kingston Sail Loft for a check up and some tweaks. I’m so grateful for their ongoing support.

The schedule for next season seems to be coming together and I think we are going to have an interesting year. More on this soon.

Type of event: Speaker with Silent Auction, raffle and dessert and coffee will be served
Date: November 19th
Time: 6:30pm-9pm
Venue: Queen’s University, 103 Stuart Street, Kingston Hall, Red Room (second floor)
Ticket price: $20: They can contact you or direct them to me (Lauren Peddle at 613-583-6148 or 6lp8@queensu.ca)

This is a charity event for Able Sail Kingston, a program which offers sailing programs for Kingston’s community of disabled persons. The event will include a speech by Clive Webber, an active member of the Kingston Yacht Club and Able Sail Program. Clive embarked on an incredible journey, circumnavigating the globe at sea and has returned to share his experiences, anecdotes, and photographs in support of the cause. We will be holding a silent auction, draw, and dessert tasting supported by local Kingston businesses.

Also, if anyone would like to donate funds, silent auction items, or desserts you can give them one of the attached letters. There is a general one, one specifically for desserts, one specifically for silent auction items, and one specifically for funds.

I’m not talking about some big surf down a wave, or a ride on a new boat. I’m talking about my first steps in sobriety.

A few months back, 97 days ago to be exact, I was confronted with a problem that I’ve had for a while, but which I could no longer avoid facing. My alcoholism. Being the hardy sailor I am (Ok you can stop laughing now…) alcohol has been a part of my life for almost 20 years. Over those years I have seen plenty of sailors with drinking problems, and many who had it under control but really liked to let loose when they had the chance, but could manage things responsibly. (I always thought I was the latter.)

But the time came when I wasn’t in control. Too many parts of my life were intrinsically related to alcohol and I was finding it really hard to break those habits. And when I tried I couldn’t.

So I made the VERY BIG decision to admit I had a problem and to face it head on. Since then it’s been a wild ride of counseling, AA meetings and some really serious soul searching on how to reinvent my life clean and sober. It’s been quite a roller coaster so far as I make the needed changes and to figure out why it was I drank.

Those changes have been huge for me. I have moved the boat to Collin’s Bay Marina for the summer. I have had to really look at my daily routines. I have had to find new ways to hang out with people socially. It’s even affected how I look at sailing it’s self. It really has been life transforming.

In these early days, I have been very careful about avoiding things that trigger cravings for me, and I have been really trying to put my sobriety first until I get things sorted out in my head. Unfortunately, this has had an effect on my sailing, but to make this dream of sailing in the Mini Transat come true I have to be vigilant and really pay attention to this right now. The cancellation of the 2010 race means less pressure right now. Everything happens for a reason they say, and I was dealt some damn good cards on this one.

So to all of my friends, I want to let you know that I am OK. I know it appears that I have disappeared all together. I am just trying to put the focus where it needs to be right now. Thank you to all those who have emailed, called and dropped by the house. I really appreciate your concern and caring.

Alison and I are enjoying the time together and are hoping to get out and do some cruising soon. She has been so unbelievably supportive and caring through this tough period. Both of our lives are going to better than we ever thought possible.

As always, thanks for your continuing support and encouragement. It has meant so much to me.

Namaste,

n

This is just a quick reminder that the Water Show is tomorrow! The weather looks perfect for hanging out in the garden and enjoying some great artwork with friends.

Hope to see you there!

The Whig published an article I wrote on the last trip to the Bahamas. You can find it here.

As part of my training I do a daily “Weather Briefing” which I find is a good way to stay on top of what is happening meteorologically. I keep all of my notes in Evernote, and have decide to publish that notebook so folks can go and see what I think is going to happen. I’ll be keeping track of whatever weather is relevant to me, so things may move around a bit…

You can find my notes here.

For the geeks in the crowd, here is a widget that you can use to re-purpose my notes.

Enjoy!