Parallels and Opposites

by John Curnow on 27 Mar 2017 The parallels were obvious. You did not need the conjoined rulers out to run a plot between them, either. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Bluewater Cruising Association is holding its Women on Water seminar very soon. April 8, in fact. In the lead up, we have been able to meet some of the presenters, and review their skills, experiences and tales.

Then almost at the opposite ends of the earth to Canada, we have the Pantaenius sponsored Women Who Sail Australia gathering occurring this coming weekend (April 1 and 2) at Port Stephens. WWSA had 70 attendees for their gathering last time, which was the inaugural event. There are just under 100 booked in as of now, and about 135 on the books for the partners-included-dinner, so make contact with them now via FB if you are a last minute chance to be there! Port Stephens is quite the idyllic spot, and hopefully after a super-wet month, the sun will shine for them all.

And from all that another parallel was apparent. Connie Morahan, the Vancouver Island Fleet Co-ordinator, pretty much summed it all up for me. Morahan commented, “Still, many women who are preparing to go offshore feel they are running as fast as they can to catch up to their partners’ sailing skills and to become less dependent on their partners for technical know-how.”

Morahan then added, “The areas of greatest concern were docking, sail handling/reefing, engine maintenance/mechanical failures, anchoring, lack of sleep, and fears of medical mishaps.” I reckon another would have to be the MOB, when it is likely their partner is going to be bigger than they are. Almost as if on cue, I saw that the WOW seminar has a dedicated module on that…

So out of it all it would seem that parallel lines can, and indeed do meet when you are talking about women on water. The benefit is better, safer boating for all, and that is a very good thing!

Much sadder news for the beloved and World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, however. It was thought that bleaching last year was not going to have an ongoing effect, but it is quite devastating to learn that it is not only more widespread, but larger than thought.

Paul Aubin from Carefish (CAirns REcreational Fishing Industry StakeHolders) delivers a great piece about a really serious and disturbing truth. We lost 25% of the reef last year, alone! His paper is the end product following on from various recent internal and external discussions. Their goal is to increase public awareness, and I have seen the emails from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park praising Carefish for their efforts on the matter. You can read it Right Here

Now on top of all of that, part of the area is about to get walloped by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. She will bring a ‘strong storm surge, abnormally high tides and rough to phenomenal seas’, as the Bureau of Meteorology puts it, and continue on with cyclonic force well inland. High rainfall (200-400mm), and winds of 160-200 kilometres per hour are expected. Gusts could reach 280kph.

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