Racing The Storm

Just out of college, living for a time in LA, a ragtag group of us rented a smallish sailboat and headed out to Catalina Island - a couple of the guys knew what they were doing - the rest of us didn't.

The way out was calm and excruciatingly slow. But as soon as we turned around, the wind whipped up, the seas started swelling and a small craft warning blasted out of the VHF radio.

Yes, we made it back. And yes, it was very, very good that two guys were experienced sailors. All of the others huddled down inside the cabin, some sick, others white with fear.

Whether we made it back or didn't was in the hands of the sailors, so I made a decision: I sat as far forward as I could, held on for dear life and decided to enjoy the ride!

We raced to the crest of each swell and were on top of the world before crashing back down into a wall of water. I couldn't hear anything above the humming and flapping of the sails, creaking of the lines, crashing of the waves and was soaked to the bone within seconds. Within minutes I couldn't feel my hands, or feet.

It was the ride of my life and I loved every bit of it!

'Racing The Storm'
24"H x 30"W