Sunday, August 1, 2010

No Barriers

We had the pleasure of meeting solo round the world sailor Neal Petersen this evening.  I have read quite a few sailing books and was amazed when a dinghy pulled up to our dock and off stepped this world class sailor and his wife Darlene who had just sailed into town from Bermuda.  His catamaran was staying near the marina over night and he came to the dock to visit with friends of ours. 

Neal is one of fewer than 300 people in history who have sailed around the world via Cape Horn solo.  He shared some of what it was like to be faced with 80 foot tall waves and being continuously knocked down as he was trying to round the Horn.  Over dinner, he talked about his plans to sail solo around the world again, probably in an upcoming Vendee Globe Race. 
Neal Petersen on the beach with his racing catamaran in the background

He has a busy schedule of sailing, is building a house in the Dominican Republic and doing motivational speaking around the world.  I knew from my sailing books that he grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Neal is an indigenous black African who grew up in apartheid.  He also had a physical disability being born with a defective hip.  He had much to overcome.  And today he and his wife have an education foundation called No Barriers.  And he goes around the world being a key note speaker for various corporate conventions.  One of the things that he shared tonight is to follow your dreams and to decide what your life is going to be. 

He definitely had lots of barriers to success. He learned about sailing from reading books while he was recuperating from hip surgery.  He wanted a sailboat but his family had no money.  So he asked his father to take him to the Royal Cape Yacht Club where the members were all very rich and very white.  There are still these barriers and many more that stand in the way of equality.  His story about the yacht club reminded me that there is one in this town that allows only white men to join. Separateness and exclusivity are still very much a part of life here and in so many other places in the world.

It was really great to be able to talk with him about sailing and the obstacles that he has overcome.  And tomorrow he asked us to sail up the coast for the day.  I am looking forward to learning more about this interesting fellow who I have followed through books and a PBS special on his life.

My main obstacle at the moment is finding time to work on the computer and read blogs.  I am taking my iPad for the voyage tomorrow so maybe there will be a chance to read while on the trip.  Otherwise I will catch up when I can.  I am exhausted now and going to bed.  The alarm will come early enough in the AM to remind me to get on the road to the marina.

15 comments:

  1. What a wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy your day!

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  2. fascinating....hope you have fun on that trip and i look forward to hearing more hopefully...what a cool run in...

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  3. thanks for sharing. i love hearing of examples of people who do not give up and overcome those obstacles. very inspiring!

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  4. Hey you! You don't have to respond to every blog post, you know! We will still love you...
    Go live your life once in a while, unhampered by the need to be so sweet.

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  5. He sure sounds like an interesting fellow.

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  6. That's great Syd. What an interesting adventure. Looks like you are getting the hang of being retired. Get pic of you!

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  7. Great opportunity. Go for it! Enjoy.

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  8. Aww Syd, I think that was probably such a God thing. Your HP knew that would be such a blessing to you and He let all the pieces fall into place. How cool is that?

    Years ago, back in my homeschooling days I read Dove to my kids...the story of Robin Lee Graham. I think he went onto live a sad life as an adult, but he had some really amazing experiences as a kid.

    Thank you for all of your comments on my blog. 4 at once!! lol I appreciated your thoughts so much.

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  9. Syd-- - -

    No comment from me. Have fun! I sense an incredible God-thing happening to you right now.

    Hugs and get home safely!
    Anonymous #1

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  10. Wow, I don't even like deep water but his life sounds amazing. How is it that some people can be so motivated and others seem to not even have an ounce of it?

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  11. sounds like retirement's keeping you busier than when you were working. Good for you! I hope you have a lovely day.

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  12. wow, great "chance" meeting for you! What a person Neal is! Thanks for sharing this. Enjoy your trip Syd.

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  13. Marie's right. You have been busy.

    I was talking to a coworker this morning. She inspires me too. She has lived with polio since she was a child, and yet she works full-time at a job that keeps her on her feet quite a bit. I see so many people with disabilities who let their disability be a reason for not living life more fully, it's nice to see those who overcome those barriers.

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  14. How wonderful -- a fellow South African with a vision.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.