The spirit that drove those commercial sailors along the web of trade routes, deep into the bleak latitudes of the Southern Ocean and around the world’s most dangerous capes, emerges today in the form of the Volvo Ocean Race, a contest now seen as the pinnacle of achievement in the sport.

The first edition of this sporting adventure came in the wake of two remarkable sailors of the last century, Sir Francis Chichester and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, men who drew worldwide acclaim for amazing solo voyages around the planet. Inevitably their success led to talk in international sailing circles of a race around the world for fully crewed yachts. It became a reality in 1973 with The Whitbread round the World Race, the longest, most demanding and perilous sporting contest the world had known.

Dangerous it was. In that very first race three competing sailors were lost after being washed overboard during storms. This led to the inevitable call for that inaugural contest to be the last, but the desire for unbridled adventure and great competition led to the race being staged every four years.

The re-badged Volvo Ocean Race was run for the first time in 2001-02. Today it is, quite simply, the ‘Everest of Sailing’.

found on volvooceanrace.org

The Melges 32® is one design racing at its best. Since 2005, it has successfully delivered bigger, better, more-simplified sailing that is fun and competitive. Complementing its sporty attitude, it possesses one of the most diverse regatta schedules that includes many prestigious venues supported by an organized and well-established class association.

Features a super sleek hull shape, clean deck layout and rig
Fun and easy to sail
Easily launched via hoist or ramp. When equipped with a gin pole, it can be rigged without the assistance of a crane to step the mast.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH 31 ft 10 in 9.70 m
BEAM 9 ft 10 in 3.00 m
DRAFT 7 ft 2.13 m
WEIGHT 3,775 lbs 1,712.31 kg

SAIL AREA
MAIN 445 sq ft 41.3 m2
JIB (105%) 254 sq ft 23.6 m2
ASYMMETRICAL CODE 1A VMG 1,113 sq ft 103.4 m2
ASYMMETRICAL CODE 2A RUNNER 1,302 sq ft 121.0 m2
ASYMMETRICAL CODE 0, 100° REACHER 774 sq ft 71.9 m2

Excellent photography by Guido Trombetta
found on m32.com
found on seawayblog.blogspot.com

molo sail and canoe surf from Anders Carlson on Vimeo.

found on vimeo.com

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and Canoeing are also known as Paddling. Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is defined by the International Canoe Federation (the world sanctioning body) as a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double bladed paddle. Almost all kayaks have closed decks, although there are many sit-on-top kayaks which are growing in popularity, as well as inflatable kayaks which come without decks but which have air chambers surrounding the boat. A canoe is defined as a boat where the paddler faces forward and sits or kneels in the boat, using a single bladed paddle. Canoes can be closed deck or open deck.
Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down rapids. Sea kayaking, also referred to as Ocean Kayaking or Touring, involves taking kayaks out on to the ocean or other open water e.g., a lake. Sea kayaking can involve short paddles with a return to the starting point or “put-in” or expeditions covering many miles and days. Kayaking of all kinds has continued to increase in general popularity through the 1990s and early 21st century.

found on wikipedia.org

Big Wave Surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into or are towed onto waves which are at least 20 feet (6.2 m) high, on surf boards known as “guns” or “rhino chasers”. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.

In 1992, Big Wave Surfers Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, and Darrick Doerner introduced a cross over sport called Tow in Surfing. While many riders still participate in both sports, they remain very distinct activities. This type of surfing involves being towed in to massive waves by jet ski, allowing for the speed needed to successfully ride. Tow in Surfing also revolutionized board size, allowing surfers to trade in their unwieldy 12 ft. boards in favor of light, 7 ft boards that allowed for more speed and easier maneuverability in waves over 30ft. By the end of the 1990′s, tow in surfing allowed surfers to ride waves exceeding 50.

found on wikipedia.org

A major sport event in Polynesia:  the outrigger canoe race organised every year in October,  where for 3 days, more than 100 traditional canoes compete between Huahine and Bora-Bora.

Canoe racers from Tahiti, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, New Caledonia, Hawaii and France are the best canoers in the Pacific and in the World.

Preparation is intense, the show is also with the many supporters cheering the teams from fishing boats, outboard motors and official boats and with all the spectators gathered around the finish line.

Excitement reaches its peak and suspense lasts until the last minute. Of course such magnificent event is carried live on television, which gives a mediatic echo to this popular and colorful event. As always in Polynesia, a party atmosphere dominates when supporters welcome the winners with flower leis to the sound of drums and singing.

Found on tahitiguide.com

Ever since I saw the Luc Besson film called Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue) I have been a devotee of the sport known as Competitive Apnea. What sounds simple in theory is actually one of the most physically extreme challenges the human body can undertake.

Found on seekextreme.com