TransParentSea

Baby Whale …

A playful calf, the size of a small bus, moves away from its behemoth mother and surfaced for a look ten meters from the bow of my boat. I was standing up at the time, hoping for a better view, and my heart began to beat loud and fast as I realized it was heading straight for me. I watched as the baby whale stretched out and glided silently and smoothly one meter below my boat, its form perfectly symmetrical, turning the water dark as it passed.  It’s hard to find the words to describe how I felt at that moment …
And while the encounter was brief, I will never forget the connection and what seemed to me like a smile from this wonderful creature. It was an intentional and peaceful act and it makes me wonder how anyone could consider harming our beautiful and intelligent friends. To some people “Save the Whales” sounds like an outdated corny bumper sticker and little more. To them I say, “Get your self and meet our friends, it will change your life.

The Cast and Crew …

I would like to share some observations about the other personalities moving across the water with me. While were definitely are not the only sentient beings on this particular path, the other humans perched on these little red sailing craft are who I now rely on for safety and sanity and can count on as friends and for hilarious entertainment.

Hilton Dawe:
An amazing photographer, this guy is like the Energiser Bunny 24/7. Always exuding positive energy, he is a great guy to have on a trip like this especially one that requires constant moving and spontaneity.
After a few mishaps he is now an accomplished sailor. A few days ago I glanced over and he was doing about 15 knots in choppy water, eating an apple and photographing whales off in the distance like it was just another day at the office.
Ask Hilton what time it is, and he will reply, “ It’s All Time!”

Chris Del Moro:
Fourteen days in and we have all had a few close calls and shared the elation of arriving safely each time to shore. I have only met Chris once previously so sharing these kinds of intense experiences, you get to know people very quickly. Chris is the level head of this crazy bunch and good to have his voice of reason when we’re all throwing in our ideas about when and where to head next. On a good day we can travel over 100 kilometres, so this is when we get a chance to sail close and talk about life and whatever. Chris and I have now covered everything from Japanese culture, cooking, women, couture clothing, logo design, women, Italian culture, how to speak Australian, hair metal bands, song writing and women. I’m looking forward to more of this on the next 350 kms.

Gary McNeill:
While Gazza isn’t with us on the boats, he is an integral part of our adventure. It seems ground crew tasks can be very stressful, especially if we don’t have contact when the wind suddenly picks up to 30 knots and they cant find a safe place for us to get in. I just want to thank Gary for saving our arses more than once. Also shaping amazing boards (Formula Energy). It’s been great to try these awesome boards in uncrowded waves all along this beautiful coastline.

Dave Rastovich
I suppose people meet for a reason. So far, my reason for meeting Dave has been to share more than one once-in-a-lifetime experience. All of this has been mostly through music, some surfing and now sailing. When I think back, these are all such crazy uncommon happenings. Playing music gigs to 20,000 people, surfing remote islands off Southern Japan, and now a sailing adventure, which is unveiling so much magic with every new day. In what most people would consider an extreme ocean situation, Dave considers no big deal. This makes everyone in our sailing team calmer and in turn it’s a safer journey. Admiral Rastovich is doing what he does best and we’re all happy to share the ride.

Also I want to mention everyone who is directly helping us survive out there. The following people are total legends and were all stoked to get to shore each day and re energise and talk story …

JJ keeps us looking good (and despite ending up in the trees after a severe sand boarding miscalculation, ain’t looking too bad himself) on the net and all other media also shared our biggest day of 110 kms and sailed like a champ, surfing northerly moving waves with us all day.

Justin Krumb is S4C executive director and rad film maker, also did a big day with us on the water covering 80km’s and almost flipped the boat once in a 25knot southerly that hit us hard. I can see him now, lunging for the outrigger, trying to save a bad fall, close to a rocky headland.

Eden Scanlan also came out with us on a good day and passed with flying colours. He makes sure we are well informed when out to sea and is super dedicated to keeping us safe and an all around great guy.

Chris “Kiwi” Kirkham is the RV legend and finder of all lost things. Hard working guy who falls asleep at his computer while late night editing our video blogs. He also films EVERYTHING. He was out on a headland filming us when a lady in a car came by and asked what the trip was all about etc. After his explanation her reply was “That’s a shaggable cause”. He obviously has a way with words.

“Dwayngelo”
Dwayne and Angelo have been pointing their cameras at everything, even us when we’re sleeping. They’re always together, working their butts off. So now we just call them “Dwayngelo”. Marvel at the chopper footage over Cape Byron in the launch video? That’s Dwayne’s fine work. Dig the boat angle pics shot from George Greenough’s private vessel two k’s out to sea? Angelo’s your man there. More gold to come from both, we’re certain.