Sailing Bum in Australia. Thinking of an affordable winter escape to Australia, and sailing while you are there? John will explain how he spends part of each winter there… John has developed a network of friends with sailing boats on which he crews in the Sydney area. He will provide an overview of the Australian sailing community and environment including such aspects as the various sailing areas and their characteristics, boat and slip costs, sailing attitudes and expectations, as well as cruising, racing & delivery experiences. Sun exposure (John is an easy tanner who is not sun sensitive) has been the major limiting factor in becoming involved in multiday sailing races. John will also comment on the costs of rented accommodation & the costs of living for those who are contemplating a winter escape to OZ.
John Rakos is an NSC member with a long history in sailing, including sailing a converted wooden Life Boat from Nova Scotia to Boston as a two member team with his cousin. For most of the last decade John has been spending part of each winter in Australia near Sydney. He has developed sailing contacts there that involved both cruising and racing experiences, one of which was close to terminal !! In real life John continues to teach at the University of Ottawa, and is the author of 2 books on Project Planning. His consulting work internationally led to involvement in one of the Newport to Bermuda races.
The kitchen will be open from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., so feel free to join us for a bite and a beer before the talk, which will start at 7:30 p.m. Bring yourself. Bring your friends. Attendees are asked to make a donation to support youth sailing.
For the complete Winter Speakers Program, see the Speakers Series Calendar.