Entry # 18
Body & Mind: I’ve recently joined a nearby health club and have begun working out. My focus is to build up stamina and upper body strength for hoisting the sails and raising anchor. With the weather temperatures beginning to rise I also plan to begin walking and biking routines. I don’t think walking the dogs suffices.
Additionally, last week I began to reduce (ween) my consumption of alcohol. My weekly consumption has averaged around 2-3 beers and 1-2 glasses of red wine and an Old Fashioned or Jameson or Makers (only one!). I’ve decided to cut out beer and the hard stuff completely. (Note: But not forever!)
I will also be focusing on my nutrition and re-establishing my low carbohydrate program successfully undertaken prior to hiking the Inca trails in the Andes. Note: Never should have taken a cooking class in Tuscany with my Italian wife. Low carbohydrate meals pose my greatest challenge!
Reduction in alcohol consumption and an improved nutrition program should also help with my mental clarity and focus. And in general, I would hope my active lifestyle is serving to exercise my mental health and physical readiness.
Nothing exotic just an unstressful, thoughtful and moderate approach to intake and choosing a lifestyle that should be sustainable.
Information & Knowledge – Reading material, Expert Advice, Training: I’d like to begin by sharing an experience_ In early May of 2016 and at the young age of 67, I was introduced to kayaking on the Canadian side of Lake Superior by a friend of mine who had 18 years of kayaking experience. I can tell you from first hand experience and with little exaggeration that Superior water is ice cold in May. (I’m reminded of a Bill Cosby Niagara Falls story!). That summer I kayaked perhaps a dozen times mostly on inland lakes but also once at Metro Beach on Lake St. Clair. The following year, my friend and I made a trip north to kayak off the shores of Lake Superior. It was around noon when we arrived to where we planned to put our kayaks in. I looked at the 4-6 foot waves coming an onshore (WSW) 15-18 mph wind. I concluded it was going to build. I used my better judgement deciding not to go out. I only had a year of relatively smooth water kayaking experience and the size of the breaking surf in Lake Superior open waters was more than I was willing to experience at the time. My friend – again with 18 years of serious kayaking that included overnight(s) and heavier seas – showed disappointment. He suggested that he go out alone and head into the surf towards an island about 300 yards from shore then loop back. The island was less maybe an 1/4 of a mile west of where we stood. The entire trip should take 20-25 minutes at most. And because it would be only 25 minutes and in my sight, my friend decided not to take his standard technical gadgets 9GPS for example). He put on his wet suit, life jacket, hat and gloves and embarked while I stood watching.
Before I complete my story, allow me to take a moment to describe my dear friend and kayak instructor who I knew in high school and only recently re-acquainted through a mutual friend. Picture my friend as a brilliant tech geek, engineering graduate with impressive but acquired athletic skills. Following high school, I learned he had worked to address his physical awkwardness earning a karate black belt, only learning to swim in his early 60’s, avid long distance bicyclist and (as mentioned) a very accomplished kayaker. I found his athletic achievements were realized through research, manuals, training, rehearsing and depending on technology. With the possible exception of karate, each activity was religiously supported with the latest electronic device to monitor _ heart beat, body temperature, breathing rate, wind speed, determine location (GPS), direction/heading, speed, camera, vhf marine radio, flashlight, pocket knife, etc. I marvelled at his athletic and physical accomplishments. Now back to our 20 minute kayak experience….
My friend first paddled back and forth in front of me for a few minutes and then headed west into the building surf towards the island. It took him 15 minutes before he reached the island on the west side of the bay. Throughout he looked comfortable, in control and by his facial expression he was enjoying himself. He stayed in the calm by the island for a few moments before heading back. It took him less than 5 minutes before he was 100 yards out just abreast of me. But instead of heading in to where he had originally embarked, my friend continued kayaking past east towards the lee side of the bay. I won’t side track my blog content to detail what took place over the next 8 hours, let me just share that the U.S. Coast Guard dropped my friend off safe!
Lesson(s) learned? It is important to remain true to yourself and stick with what has made you successful. Perhaps on a bigger picture, reliance on too technology can be counter productive and not serve in one’s best interest. As happened here, ‘total’ dependance on technology led my friend to overlook inherently built capabilities. Later that evening after my friend had calmed down to relative normality, I asked him, “Why didn’t you come in as we agreed?” He replied, “I got dis-oriented. didn’t see you and didn’t have my GPS!”
“Whenever I head out, I look for reference points to recognize features such as tree line, branch bias and other. However, that doesn’t work in the fog! I’m glad I didn’t have to call your wife.” I said with a smile. We both had another one.
OK, long winded approach to the following personal preparation effort _
Reading Material: When I first purchased Never Too Late, I had briefly perused the PS Flicka Owners Manual for hull number (MC number & registration) and, to look up the proper procedure to stepping the mast up. (I am currently reading the owners manual – front to back – with a bit more attentiveness). Additionally, I have a boat load (pun?) of manuals to go through for the following recently acquired ‘aides’ _ a Uniden VHF Marine Radio, a SpotX 2 way satellite messenger, and a portable DVR. How safe can you be meeting equipment requirements but perhaps lack proficiency in their use?
Serving as great falling asleep reading, I recently have re-read or in the process of reading the following _
__ How To Read Water, Tristan Gooley
__ The Hidden Messages in Water, Masaru Emoto
__ Night Sky, A Field Guide To The Constellations, Jonathan Poppele
__ The Natural Navigator, Tristan Gooley
__ The True Power of Water, Masaru Emoto
__ Complete Survival Manual, Michael Sweeney
__ Advanced First Aide & Emergency Care, The American National Red Cross
__ Navigation Rules & Regulations Handbook, United States Coast Guard
__ The Racing Rules of Sailing (2017-2020), US Sailing
I am planning to bring a few along for reference.
Expert Advice and Training: I cannot overstate the value as a resource and my appreciation to the sailors, organizations, societies and experts who continue to share their knowledge and expertise. The information I have gathered has been invaluable in my preparation. While I continue to add to my ‘Moose Be Done’ checklist, I have been able to work it down to below three digits. The latest add was from a recommendation to secure my manual bilge handle to the cockpit.
On April 3rd, I am looking forward to a safety seminar held by the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society. Two experienced singlehanded sailors will be sharing their experiences and be available for questions. It will be held at the Great Lakes Yacht Club.
Never Too Late For 