Royal
Natal Yacht Club
Jeff Rose
Crouching at the front of the yacht, the lanky frame of Jeff
Rose stashes away more cool drinks into the hold before the crew’s departure
for the upcoming 45th Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal
Natal Yacht Club.
This will be the second time that the Durban North sailor
will be competing in the toughest blue water race in Southern Africa, “Your
first Vasco is always memorable but I am excited about this race as it will be
my first sailing with my regular team. Our skipper, Graham Rose has put
together a really good balance of eight guys.”
“Our team have been sailing together regularly for the last three seasons preparing for this moment and are now looking to make an impression in ocean sailing. We are competing on a Lavranos 34 foot keeler named Zap, a very capable boat originally designed for the testing conditions around Cape Town.”
Zap has been fitted with a new set of sails and a gorgeous
new spinnaker, “We have done some training with the new sails and are delighted
at the performance of the yacht. We are now just hoping we can use them to
their optimum on the run back from Maputo.” Rose said with a smile in his eyes.
The wirey lad was born up in Mtunzini less than a quarter of
a century ago, “We moved to Durban when I was two. I was introduced to sailing
at Midmar Dam during school holidays when I was younger but rekindled my
adventure with sailing about four years ago.”
“I enjoy sailing Flying Fifteens but have to admit that
keelboats are my preferred medium. I am keen to do some longer distance ocean
racing in the near future. One of my dream races to compete in would have to be
the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, although the next Cape to Rio is a strong
possibility.”
“Sailing for me is definitely a way of life, it has had a serious
impact and once you have experienced the adventure, life will never be quite
the same again.” comments a thoughtful Rose.
“We are very spoilt in Durban with world class sailing
taking place all the time, right on our doorstep.” enthuses the fledgling seafarer.
Talking about life away from sailing, Rose shares, “I have
managed to complete my BCom in Marketing Management through UNISA but balanced
my studies with a lot of travelling.” He states.
Continuing he says, “I have visited fascinating places
including China, Israel, Germany and the more conventional English destinations
of the UK, USA and Australia. All of them were truly amazing, and all so
different to each other.”
“There are still so many places I would like to visit but
the next few,” pausing as he deliberates, “will be reached by yacht!”
For now, his passport will be stamped by our neighbours as
he heads up to the start in Maputo to take to the high seas for the upcoming 45th
Colorpress Vasco da Gama.
Concluding, Rose declares, “It’s always a motivating feeling
putting up the spinnaker and surfing some big swells. I sincerely hope the
conditions for the Vasco will allow for us to do this.”
ENDS
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