Before I go to the level two training let me say something about the people that are involved in this Clipper adventure. And in order to do so I like to reflect again on my L1 first.
All sorts of people get involved from all ages between 18 to well over 70. All professions are represented. Here the 45 year old investment banker who takes life easy now and there the 19 year old nurse who looks for a change in life. Here the mother who lost her kid and needs to make a drastic change to feel life and there the restless adventurer who believes the only chance to see an Albatros is to go to the Southern Ocean. The Spektrum is what life and the global society has to offer. And seriously in my Level 1 we were a happy crowd.
The first days were harbor drills. Basics like knots, techniques like sweating, emergency like man over board and even rowing a rubber dinghy just in case someone needs to head out for fresh water in a lonely bay off the coast of the Amazonas.
It was amazing to see in one week how much progress a single person can make and how much the team can accelerate if working as a team. Lot depends on the skipper, in this case Mark, Mr super calm, Mr super cautious. A lot depends on the Mate in our case Kym, who was communicative, super motivated, eager to learn, step in and help. Kym, from China, inhaled every single moment on board and the experience of teaching.
And happy progress was made. Look at these smiles and the happiness when for the first time in your life you were helming a 45 ton monster.
And finally it was amazing to see how crew mates overcame even the biggest personal challenges in a team, a crew because they felt safe and secure. Marie was terrified by heights. But when we practiced going up the mast who was there first hand? Power women Marie!
Yes, I collected good memories from L1. It seeded this feeling of becoming a Clipper family member. Yes all in October during a calm, warm and sunny October weekend. But now to L2.
Joe Sails 