Icons and Irony
My introductory column here ran two weeks ago in which I spoke of the influence that several boating writers had on my life. In that list I included the legendary Lynn and Larry Pardey, and fellow Canadian, Liza Copeland.
So imagine my feelings while sitting at Davis' Pub during the Annapolis Sailboat Show with another writer friend when we were joined by – you got it! – Lynn, Larry and Liza. Talk about karma, it was the same day that column ran.
One of the benefits of being a boating journalist is that every so often I get the opportunity to meet with people who are considered icons of boating. And one of the ironies of being a boating journalist, video creator and boat show speaker is that on occasion, I'm seen as being one of the icons. That always makes me shake my head in wonder.
The truth of the matter is, we're just people doing what we do, as best we can. The difference is that what we do is sailing. Then we write about it, and that has made us more visible to our fellow sailors. That's it. We're not in the least different from you and every other sailor out there. In many cases, your skills and experiences may well be greater than some of ours.
In my experience with sailing 'icons', I've found them to be generally quite the everyday sailor. Not once ever have these folk, in my experience, 'lorded' it over fellow sailors. When you think about it, that's not the norm in our society. Take a look at sports 'heroes', or film or rock 'stars' as an example. The sense of entitlement coming from these people is obscene.
Yet in reality, none of them has faced the kinds of challenges faced by the Pardey's, the Roths, the Copelands and thousands of other sailors. Not one of them has found themselves adrift in an unfriendly ocean and fighting to live, as have the Smeetons.
A hockey, football or baseball game is over in an hour and a bit even with overtime and, win or lose, the players get their millions of dollars per year. A battle with a storm or hurricane can go on for days…and at the end of it, the sailor is rewarded with his or her life, and the chance to do it again when the next storm front comes through.
Consider Canadian round the world sailor Derek Hatfield. Derek is my age, 57. He's given up jobs, financial security, relationships, just about everything most people consider important, for what? The opportunity to race his boat, Spirit of Canada, around the world in the hope of winning. And what has he won so far?
Well, in 2003, he came third in the Around Alone, now known as the VELUX 5 OCEANS. For this, he was named Rolex Canadian Sailor of the Year. Oh, yes, he was also dismasted in a rollover in the Southern Ocean, made it back to land, spent five weeks repairing his boat and went back to sea.
For this, you get a fancy watch? Derek, are you crazy?
The answer to that is yes, and so are we! Most of us would, had we the courage to do so, take his place in a heartbeat.
To me, Derek is an icon. So are Lynn, Liza and Larry. But so are you, out there doing your thing in your boat, however big or small it may be.
Why do I say this? Because you exemplify the thing that true icons are made of: a little bit of courage – enough to face your fears, and a big dollop of humility, enough to admit (and laugh at) your failings.
I salute all of you.
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