Crossing the Swell: An Atlantic Journey by Rowboat

Tori Holmes, a 21-year-old from Alberta, and Paul Gleeson, a 29-year-old from Limerick, Ireland, met in Australia when Holmes answered an ad to drive the support vehicle for Gleeson's 5,000-kilometre cycling trek across that country. During their first adventure together, Paul fell hard: both off his bike and for the woman driving the car.

It soon became clear that crossing a continent together was simply not enough. Acting on self-assured determination and an ever-growing sense of adventure, Paul and Tori embraced the dream of rowing a tiny boat across the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean in the 2005/06 Trans-Atlantic Race. Of course, neither of the young adventurers knew how to row.

In November 2005, after months of training, Paul and Tori left the Canary Islands to row 4,800 kilometres across the Atlantic. They completed their epic journey in February, after 86 days of huge seas, violent storms, terrifying capsizes, unbearable thirst, bizarre hallucinations and sleep deprivation. Along the way, however, during one of the darkest moments in the race, inspiration came in the form of an unseen, yet completely perceptible, presence. Old seafaring lore has several theories as to what this might have been, but both adventurers are keeping their minds open on it.

To hear the entire story please join us for this rather unusual presentation.

All meetings take place at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road, Victoria.

April 20: Doors and no-host bar open at 1900 (7:00pm); meetings start at 1930 (7:30pm)

Cost: $3 BCA members; $10 non-members

http://www.bluewatercruising.org/

Have You Entered Your Great Boating Story Yet?

Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of international brands across spirits, wine and beer including Talisker, has partnered with Canadian Yachting magazine and Sail-World Canada to run the Talisker Tales Contest. The authors of the top three boating stories, provided either by text or video, will be flown to Toronto for a two-day stay at a luxury downtown hotel and be the VIP guests at a scotch nosing event where all three stories will be told (or viewed) and voted on by the attendees. The winner will receive a beautifully engraved scotch decanter and a one-of-a-kind Talisker Tales burgee. The contest closes September 30, 2010 to ensure we get all your great boating stories, past, present and future. To enter go to http://www.taliskertales.ca/ also email Island Cruising your story, we would love to hear them!

Pacific Rim Whale Festival - Tofino, Ucluelet & Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Pacific Rim Whale Festival - Tofino, Ucluelet & Pacific Rim National Park Reserve:

"Welcome to the Pacific Rim Whale Festival!
March 6-14, 2010


Every March, spring splashes into Canada with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival!
Join the fun on the shores of Vancouver Island's wild west coast, as we celebrate the arrival of upwards of 20,000 grey whales on their northbound migration from the Baja Peninsula to Alaska's Bering Strait and beyond. Come experience the wonders and charm of the 24th annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival, with an array of events taking place throughout the coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Storm "Xynthia" devastates European marinas

Over the weekend, a massive storm hit the West coast of Europe causing widespread devastation to boats and marinas from Portugal north up to the Netherlands.

To read more about the storm, check out the article in Blue Water Sailing.

Sailing in Vancouver during the Olympics

Island Cruising sailed Pretext, our Bavaria 32, over to Vancouver this past Monday. The weather was great, the winds were ideal, and we managed to get some good pics! Hope you enjoy!

Also, don't forget that you can charter Pretext for the Pender Island Chamber Music Series in March for the amazingly low price of $1282.00 for three days! The Poet's Cove shuttle will transport you from your slip at their awesome marina to the concerts free of charge. Click here for more details!

Cruise and Learn April Long Weekend

We have two spots left on our Cruise and Learn April 2-7. That is the Easter long weekend.
Great instructor, great boat, great food, great company! Call now and don't be disappointed! 250-656-7070
www.islandcruising.com

West Vancouver Yacht Club Southern Straits Race

Just a reminder that the Southern Straits Race is coming up April 2-4 (Easter Weekend).
Go to www.wvyc.bc.ca for more info.

Charter in the BVI's

Charter "Wombat", a Jeanneau 40.3 (2007) for 7 days for the reasonable base rate of $3500.00 "Wombat" has 3 cabins and 2 heads.

An ideal charter yacht with good sailing performance, aided by the fully battened mainsail and twin helms.

The forward cabin boasts an ensuite head with a shower, a large and very comfortable v-berth with a small seating area adjacent, and a large hanging closet, with more than reasonable storage space.

The two equal sized aft cabins offer generous berth space and share a large head with a shower.

Her main saloon and dining area are forward of the L-shaped galley, and the salon converts to a double bunk for extra kids or crew.

The 40.3 is a direct descendent of the Sun Odyssey 40, an evolution of a design that is meant to offer a lot of boat and a substantial feel that implies worthiness.

"Wombat" even comes with free Wi-Fi onboard.

Equipment includes inverter, autopilot, AM/FM Radio/ CD Player, Cockpit speakers, Windlass, cabin fans, fridge, oven, stove, bbq, RIB with 8hp outboard, fully battened mainsail and furling genoa, windscoops, cell phone rental for $10.

Charter price includes: 4 bags of ice, dinnerware, first aid kit, binoculars, pfd's, basic cleaning materials, linens and towels, galley equipment, masks, snorkels and fins, cruising guides and charts.

Call us to discuss what dates work for you and advice on travel plans.