August Issue Hot Off the Presses
As you read this, the August issue of Latitude 38 is being delivered to marine businesses and sailing organizations all along the West Coast. In it you’ll find a wide array of both local and far-flung sailing news: Reports on the just-concluded TransPac Race to Hawaii, cruising all over the globe, chartering in Belize, inshore races from Whidby Island to San Diego, and a variety of other nautical news bits from down the dock and around the world.
So pick up your copy today. Then we’d suggest you rig up your backyard hammock and escape into Latitude-land, or better yet, stock the cooler, cast off your docklines and catch up on all the sailing news while gliding along on the breeze.
Remember also, that — like all editions of Latitude 38 — the August issue can be read online or downloaded for free as an eBook or PDF. (Our Internet elves are working furiously on the conversion as we write this. It should be downloadable by late afternoon.)
John Silverwood Sets Sail Again
When John Silverwood’s left leg was severed on June 25, 2005, he wasn’t sure he was going to live, much less ever sail again. Silverwood and his family — wife Jean, and kids Ben, Amelia, Jack and Camille — had been sailing in the South Pacific aboard their Lagoon 55 catamaran Emerald Jane when they ran up on Manuae Atoll, about 190 miles west of Raiatea. John lost his leg, and nearly his life, when the boat’s 79-ft mast fell on him. The family’s story captured the world’s attention, and two movies, along with John and Jean’s book Black Wave, came out of the near-tragedy.
©2011 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Now five years later, John is ready to set sail again. Having adapted well to his ‘bionic’ prosthetic leg, and having done some sailing on other people’s boats, John says he finally “got permission from Jean to buy another boat.” In less than two months, John found the Ohlson 38 Espiritu Santo in Galveston, Texas, had her trucked to San Diego and got her ready for a doublehanded trip to Hawaii with his youngest son Jack, 15. They’re planning to leave in the next few days.
Instead of looking for the limelight for himself, John is hoping his trip will bring awareness — and much-needed contributions — to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a group that helps people with physical disabilities live active lifestyles and become competitive athletes. John will be posting occasional video blogs from his trip — view them at www.challengedathletes.org — and promises to deliver a full report on the journey for Latitude readers.
Lasers Seize Control of the Bay
The Laser 4.7 worlds got underway yesterday at St. Francis YC, marking the beginning of a two-week-plus stretch of some hardcore Laser racing on the Bay. The 4.7s race through Tuesday, then it’s time for the Laser Heavy Weather Slalom on Thursday and Friday. The Laser Master Worlds start on August 6 and run through the 13th. So if you’re a fan of one of the world’s most popular one designs, check www.sflaser.com or St. Francis YC Racing on Facebook for more info.