Crew Blog

Gnarly, dude

03 April 2008

Surf's up for Qingdao crew Gary Jessop and Nicole Roberts and Liverpool 08's Lisa Pover

Enforced idleness has caused the crews of Qingdao and Liverpool 08 to take up surfing and game fishing. As with all sports it is important to be able to talk a good game. With that in mind we’ve taken lessons from self-styled surfing ‘legend’ Tony Moniz. Ben and Lisa from Liverpool 08, Neil, Gary and Nicole from Qingdao have invested in boardies and rash vests and can now walk to the nose, ride the tube and drop out the back door, man.

On entering the game fishing world we had sea ‘legend’ Lee Severs with his crew, Rocky and Gator, both sporting Magnum ‘taches. We wondered what we were in for when they said they were bringing out the Charlie, and we were relieved to find that this was the name of the tuna bait – which was itself bigger than anything we’d caught previously. We wrestled with and reeled in seven aggressive sea monsters: two marlin, one shark and four mahi mahi. We let a couple of the catches back to Mother Nature for good karma. Pete grilled a mahi mahi on the barbecue, which was delish.

With all this sport one must remember to rehydrate and so we were compelled to try the local mai tai cocktail, made by the legend Jesse of Dukes. With this fuel inside us the odd story of fishing and surfing may get a little exaggerated but then again, why let the truth get in the way of a good story?

Surfing ‘legends’ GJ and NM.

1. Alex, still in oxfordshire... 04 April 2008

if nothing else GJ - you do spin a good yarn......sail safe - see you sometime - Alex

2. Janet Presant-Collins, Castlethorpe 04 April 2008

Great news you’re off again on Saturday. Julian’s chomping at the bit - or should that be winch - to join you. Safe sailing to you all.

3. Lisa and Russell Thatcher, sussex 04 April 2008

Looking good Gary. If all else fails on this leg, perhaps you could all surf to Santa Cruz .
Be safe. LOL Lisa xx

4. Kevin Bowers, Hong Kong 06 April 2008

GJ, You cannot surf, you will never be able to surf and will never, ever look cool on a surfboard. Whilst you were sipping Mai Tais in your flowery shirt on Waikiki Beach last weekend, real men were glugging jugs of warm, flat lager in old rugby shirts surrounded by filth in the South Stand at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens...and where were you ? Gone fishing ! POOR. Rusty told me the Rhinos didn’t miss you for a moment as (miraculously) they won their game against the HK Police for a change ! Mate, good luck for a podium place on Race 8. Top Tip: Make sure you go to the fair in Santa Cruz...bobbing for apples is far more your style than surfing ! The Silver Fox

5. neil burke, liverpool 06 April 2008

gary you surf the waves mate all the way back to liverpool in first place and have fun along the way same for everyone aboard quingdao bkeep safe neil

6. Trevor C and ACE, Snowy London 07 April 2008

Always nice to see that the crew are hard at it… sunbathing, fishing and surfing, whilst back ‘ome we are braving blizzards and Network South East. Please do ensure NM keeps his briefs and wig dry when lashed to the mainbrace. By the way, did he share his bottle of grog with the crew or guzzle it all by himself?

We are watching the race with interest and wish you fair winds and every success!

Keep safe,

regards
TC

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