Why are some of us land lubbers and some seafarers?
Since I was a little boy, I always felt the need to either be on the water or in the water. Where did this obsession come from?
When I was older I learned that my grandfather used to build and sail his own dinghies. Never spending one minute of his holiday to far from water or his little boats. He particularly liked the Sprog Dinghy and sailed in numerous regattas.
Could this be genetic? I don't think so, because my father don't like anything to do with water. He is in seventh heaven when he is sitting in his 4x4 somewhere in a desert. Even with my friend Tillerman it is not true. He spends most of his time on his Laser, but his son is more interested in fishing than sailing.
Could the place where we crew up have something to do with it? Again, I don't think so, because I grew up in Namakwaland which is a semi desert area.
Maybe it could be something from our childhood. I found a picture the other day of my 1st birthday. That was decades back There I was sitting on the floor, my face full of icing. I was dressed in one of those cliche Baby Sailor outfits and in front of me was a cake in the shape of a yacht. ~Could this be the birth of this sailor?
I still would like to think that sailing is a genetic inheritance and the true reason for my sailing obsession.
2 comments:
Great question. I too grew up in a time and a place where the idea of leisure boating just didn't figure as part of our culture. I know of no ancestors who sailed or were in the navy. But from a very early age I knew I wanted to go boating... sailing or kayaking or rowing. The only influence that I can pin it on is that when I was very young someone gave me a present of a book of "Outdoor Activities for Boys" (or some such title) and that may have fired my interest.
Great to hear I am not the only one struggling with the question.....
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