last weekend we saw some great sessions in VANCOUVER including DON MARTIN telling the epic tale of LADY VAN'S 2012 EUROPEAN ADVENTURE on the classic yacht racing circuit 

 

experts are on their way to EDMONTON & CALGARY this weekend with DEREK HATFIELD (see below), solo ocean racer with the SPIRIT of CANADA headlining with some of our popular favourites like JEFF COTE of PACIFIC YACHT SYSTEMS & newcomer ALAN BOREHAM author of BEER IN THE BILGES (~adventures in the SOUTH PACIFIC)

while our local in VANCOUVER was DON MARTIN and LADY VAN (how's the one above for a stunning photo?) we have EDMONTON & CALGARY locals from the ALBERTA OFFSHORE SAILING ASSOCIATION (love that name) and CANADIAN SAIL & POWER SQUADRONS joining us in their home towns

as we blaze the trails of WESTERN CANADA with boating experts in support of the FOOD BANK - be sure to let us know if we should bring this show to you - let our VANCOUVER OFFICE know if you would be interested in hosting a YES event in your town

ALBERTA HEADLINER - DEREK HATFIELD


ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION:

It takes tremendous courage, determination and persistence to race around the world alone, Derek Hatfield is the 126^th person in history and the only Canadian to have done it twice!
 
Racing single-handed around the world is an incredible accomplishment, for perspective over 400 astronauts have gone into space and 10,000 climbers have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Having now raced over 200,000 miles singlehanded Derek’s truly inspiring story of becoming a competitor in 3 singlehanded races around the world includes a devastating pitch-pole and dismasting near the infamous Cape Horn, building North America’s first state-of-the-art all carbon Open 60, spending over 50 days alone at sea at a time, much of that time enduring vicious Southern Ocean storms, torrential rain, scolding heat and bitter ice and snow.
 
Most recently Derek raced in the Eco 60 Class working towards circumnavigating the globe without the use of fossil fuels. In order to reduce his impact on the planet Derek used solar and wind power instead of fossil fuels to generate the electricity needed during the race – an approach that goes hand in hand with the main principles of working towards a more sustainable future.
 
Derek finished the most recent race the VELUX 5 Oceans single handed around the world race in France at the end of May, 2011 and once again took a place on the podium for Canada.
 
Here to tell a story of perseverance & determination is Derek Hatfield - SPIRIT OF CANADA OCEAN CHALLENGES

we have saved the best for last - today is the final day of the VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW and immediately next to the floating venue we are having four special seminars by donation to the food bank.

at 10.30 Jeff Cote from Pacific Yacht Systems is back for Electrical 101.  Jeff is the expert in recreational marine electrical and this is a fantastic seminar.

at noon, Marla Hedman will be working through EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS - worldwide charter holidays and licensing

our feature speaker comes at 2pm -  yacht designer, builder, Canadian Olympic Sailing Team coach and America's Cup official DON MARTIN will bring these adventures together in SHORT TACKING THROUGH LIFE - including highlights of bringing LADY VAN back to life and to first place finishes in local events and beyond.



at 4pm, Peter Derviller, commodore of the JIB SET will talk about the best value in sailing, the JIB SET sailing club

We've been watching the transformation and the 1928 R Class Yacht "Lady Van" for a while now. 


She was re-christened this week at a well attended ceremony at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.  The restoration nearly complete now, the story will continue with the battle over a very old trophy this fall - the Alexandra Cup (1906) - and the drama between Vancouver, Seattle and Sidney is already entertaining to say the least.   The first 'brandishing of the swords' will occur at the RIPS regatta in August, where a number Cooper crew members will be helping out with race management (make sure to let us know if you want to help with this and get the best seat in the house for seeing the battle of these classic yachts)



We are close to many of the people involved in this boat and are delighted to see this magnificent boat back in the water and soon to sail again in English Bay.