Good Jibes # 221: Commodore Tompkins on 600,000 Miles of Sailing, With Host John Arndt, Pt 1
This week we’re joined by one of the great legends of the sailing world, Warwick “Commodore” Tompkins. The 93-year-old Commodore has sailed over 600,000 miles and has essentially been sailing since birth.
In this Part 1 — recorded in person on Commodore’s custom Wylie 39 Flashgirl — tune in as Commodore chats with Good Jibes host John Arndt about the health scares on his recent 48-day passage, the lifetime of sailing inspiration he credits to his father, his unbelievable memories from sailing around Cape Horn at age 4, how they became the first sailing vessel to cross under the Golden Gate Bridge, and how he started working professionally on boats.
Here’s a sample of what you’ll hear in this episode:
- How Konrad Lorenz explained Commodore’s destiny as a seafarer
- Rounding Cape Horn at age 4 and sailing without an engine in 1936–37
- Commodore Tompkins’ childhood at sea
- The origin of “Commodore”
- Wander Bird’s tragic sinking
Read about Commodore in Latitude 38 sailing magazine here: Commodore Tompkins on the Move Again.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!