Tompkins Bio Premieres This Month

Undeniably, the Bay Area has produced a boatload of world-class racing sailors, but one of the local marine community’s greatest treasures is the wealth of colorful waterfront characters who call these waters home. Several of the saltiest among them have been profiled recently through the highly acclaimed series of film biographies called Life on the Water. Filmmaker Oleg Harencar’s latest effort, Warwick Tompkins — A Lifetime at Sea, will premiere February 24 at Mill Valley’s Throckmorton Theatre (doors 6:30 p.m.; screening at 7:30 a.m.), with a repeat showing the following evening (same time).

If the name Warwick doesn’t ring a bell, we’re talking about ‘Commodore’ Tompkins, whose sailing feats and philosophy have been reported on countless times here and in the pages of Latitude 38 magazine. 

UPDATE 2/17: Wednesday’s show has already sold out, as it will feature a post-viewing Q&A with Harencar and Tompkins, as well as guest speakers Hank Easom, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Kimball Livingston, Ron Holland, Tom Wylie and others. Due to all the advance interest, a similar lineup of speakers will also augment Thursday’s show. Tickets for either show can also be purchased by phone at 415-383-9600 or in person at the box office (142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley; Tuesday – Saturday, 2-6 p.m.). Appropriately, these screenings are sponsored by Sausalito’s Spaulding Wooden Boat Center. 

If you haven’t had the privilege of sailing with Commodore, let us confirm that he’s one of the most skilled and thoughtful sailors that you’re likely to meet on any ocean. Born into a voyaging family, he famously rounded Cape Horn aboard the family schooner, Wander Bird, at the age of four, and he’s been adding impressive feats to his sailing résumé ever since. 

If you can’t make these premiere showings, you’ll soon find the Tompkins biopic available for rent or purchase at the series’ website, along with other profiles in the ongoing series.