Chris? Why Boatpride?

Folks asked "Chris why haven't you got a page describing myself and my own interest in sailing?" I've written one hundred and six pages of the site for far, so here is an overview of myself.

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Early Days

My father always had sailboats - he still does it's a Cornish Shrimper! But i grew up with a 23' sloop by David Thomas. Her name was Phycho Surfer - yes she did! It was a childhood orientated around getting in weekend sails around the Isle Of Wight. Not the sun drenched breezes of the Caribbean or Florida, it was pretty miserable, but very good at bad weather sailing!

Next Off To Singapore

When i was six my family moved to Singapore for Dad's job - he worked for a security printing company called De La Rue. They print bank notes and passports, stuff like that. The first thing Dad did when he has organized the family was to buy Haiyan a 26' Swedish Maxi. We spent weekend doing trips up the Malaysian coast, enjoying the sunshine. I used to sleep on the deck under the bimoni. Waking up at dawn and listening to the fish jumping was my Sunday treat.

This Is Chris!

Back To Blighty

After six years of East Asian living the family returned. Again Father went off and brought an ex Boat Show Frederick Parker designed sloop. At 26' Poacher from French manufacturers Mystere Flyer was great fun. Now aged twelve, sailing was becoming more and more enjoyable.

Opportunity Knocks

When i was eighteen i was training to become part of a race called The Hong Kong World Challenge. This involved Sigma 33's and 36's, for weekend training. We were going to taking part on Toykio II - Whitbread 60 material. The race was scheduled in October 1995. The boat was coming from New Zealand and they need crew for the trip across the Atlantic from Providence Rhode Island to Plymouth UK.

So i took part in the crossing, six crew seventeen days. It was amazing! Whales and dolphin daily. Roller waves to surf on - with a 70' yacht! It was marvelous. Sadly the organizer of our boat decided to try to disappear with the boat and sail her. So we didn't get to race. But the con man was caught and we had our day in court. We also got the money back.

Racing

Since then i have raced a fair bit. including BVI Race Week 2004, Cowes Week 2006, seasonal racing on Beneteau 31.7. I've done the renowned Round The Island Race and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Monica My Adorable Girlfriend

Three Points Of Interest

Three things that have happened to me that stuck in my mind about sailing related issues.

During the Transat we experienced a force ten gale - storm Bertha. Biggest waves imaginable. Very windy - very humbling.

Whilst racing at Cowes in 2006 i was on mast duty. The leg was down wind. I was doing the boom preventor role when the wind changed directions. I found myself hanging on to the boom whilst over the water. That was quite a shock!

Finally in October 2006, one week before going with my sailing club (Royal Thames) to BVI Regatta, i was hit by a London taxi whilst crossing the road. The result was a long recovery and a titanium pin running through my tibia on my right leg. I didn't get to BVI.

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