Cruising Corner . . . by KC Matlock

I had heard tales of an extraordinary level of camaraderie amongst the cruising set. I attributed this phenomenon to be nothing more than the natural human desire for like-minded boaters to reconnect with mankind, when random coincidence in overlapping routes and schedules, put them in the same port at the same time with others. I was mistaken; it's a completely different phenomenon altogether.

Recently, I was both physically and mentally prepared for a club fleet cruise that had me all atwitter with excitement. But it turned out I was surprisingly unprepared emotionally for the truly extraordinary experience of spending five days afloat with 30 women sailors who were total strangers to me prior to my arrival at our first common destination. The time spent with them was indescribably delightful, and I'm certain it had nothing to do with the relief born of reconnecting with human interaction after solitary hours at sea as I once surmised.

These were 30 of the most astounding women I've ever met. I would consider it a privilege to know them, and an honor to have them as friends, in any context.  But the fact that they are all highly skilled women sailors is even more icing on the cake.

These uber-ladies can do anything and everything - from trimming the sails to piloting a dinghy, from maintaining their boats to fixing their engines, from diving off the bowsprit to fishing from a kayak, from playing ukuleles to playing poker, from making a gourmet meal for sharing to making lasting friendships for sharing, from conquering great illness to living greatly despite illness.

They came in all shapes and sizes, attend to all manner of varied professions, contribute a vast mix of ethnicities and cultures, and sport an amusing array of accents. Even more entertaining than the accents, was the joy provided by the sound of voices lifted frequently in song. And even more delightful yet was the continual cacophony of laughter.

Though the level of competency in both sailing and profession is impressive, it's the genuine exuberance with which they welcome strangers into their midst that truly set them apart and created that phenomenal cruiser's bond of camaraderie I'd always heard about, yet never yet experienced.

There are many characteristics of the cruising lifestyle that appeal to me. The overwhelming majesty of Mother Ocean feeds my soul; the outpouring of warmth and acceptance from my newfound cruising sisterhood feeds my heart. New to my Top Ten Reasons I Love to Cruise list is the unmistakable bond between members of the cruising community.

We laughed, drank, fished, rafted up, laughed, drank, ate, played card & dice games, sang, laughed, drank, hunted treasure, danced, competed at bocce ball, laughed, drank, kayaked, drank, and laughed a lot.

After a five day floating extravaganza one would think I'd be ready to stay landside for a bit. Instead I'm scrutinizing my calendar and skimming my email for another opportunity to meet my new cruising sisters at a destination somewhere over the ocean blue. Cruising with them made me feel like I could accomplish anything.

My conclusions are these: For an exhilarating e-ticket adrenaline ride, go racing. To have a relaxing afternoon admiring Mother Nature while recreating, go on a day sail. But to have fun with joyous childlike abandon, and to rediscover all the very best in (wo)mankind - for that you'll have to go cruising with 30 gorgeous, smart, competent, confident, warm, kind, caring, funny, brave, talented, inspiring, strong, capable, energetic Sailing Chicks.

"The lesson that the sea teaches is that you must sail the wind you have, not the one you wish you had, the one you thought you would have, or the one you 'ought' to have."

- Unknown

Rainy Day Reading ... Monique's Suggestions  

Cling to lee cloths marvelling at Shackleton's Endurance with these old topical selections...

South by Ernest Shackleton - Straight from the horse's mouth

South with Endurance by Frank Hurley - Spectacular photographs by the expedition's official photographer (only a fraction of what was originally taken.  Shackleton himself ordered the others to be destroid so as to lighten the load.)

Shackleton's Boat Journey by F. A Worsley, the captain of the Endurance described the rescue voyage to South Georgia Island.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredicle Voyage by Alfred Landsing - Superior narrative by a nonparticipant.

                                                Your 2011 WORSA Crew