#981 – Being in the Storm
Posted by Erin on June 24, 2011
The Gale - EUROPA Photo by Matty Maples
Last week, we had terrible storms here on the East Coast. Massive thunder, deafening cracks of lightening and torrential rain. Personally, I love a good storm and the louder, the better. It’s like Mother Nature caught you sneaking out of the house and is seriously NOT HAPPY. No matter, you make sure the windows are closed, flashlight is close at hand and fingers crossed that the cable doesn’t go out.
Now imagine you are on a tall ship in the middle of the ocean. The sky is grey, rain is sleeting down, the ship heels over as the ship plows through the water. You look aft and a wave swells behind you. It towers and threatens to crash over the deck but then it slides under the ship, only to be replaced by another. Suddenly, Mother Nature’s fury is frightening and it’s all around your tiny, exposed ship.
Foulies are on, life lines are clipped in, and sleeping has become more of a sport as you attempt to stay in your rack. At first, the experience is overwhelming, what if you fall off the boat? What if the mast breaks or we spring a leak? But then you realize that this is what the ship is made for, this is why you work so hard to keep everything ship shape. They didn’t just build tall ships for balmy weather and calm seas. These were (and continue to be) hardworking vessels that have sailed all over the world- to Antarctica and beyond. So grab that helm and once you start to revel in this true rollercoaster of a ride, it is awesome.
Have an idea or a story you want to share? Email it to me at erin@sailtraining.org and I’ll add it to the blog with props to you.
