I managed to catch up with Mike Kavanagh ahead of the upcoming Vasco da Gama to Port Elizabeth.
This is what he had to say to the questions I three at him...
Family?
Married to first mate Heidi and have been blessed with a wonderful
son, able seaman Sean.
How many of them sail?
Heidi and Sean are avid sailors, as are most of our
family members. Heidi was born a von Bredow. Some of our family are sailing on the
Fast 42, Nemesis in this race. My cousin Graham Cross just dropped anchor in
Brazil on a lovely boat called Onyx that was built by my grandfather Harry
Cross and finished by my uncle John Cross.
Which area do you live in?
Oslo Beach, Port Shepstone in KZN
How did you get into sailing?
I started sailing with my grandfather and
uncle as a little boy, on a Flying Dutchman built by my Grandfather. Later,
when I was 10 years old, we built a Dabchick during the school holidays, a boat
I still own. The dabbie still has a scar from one of the steel marks on
Emmarentia dam that I hit while staring at the girls on the windsurfers. In the
good old days we used to sail for fun, very little racing. Maybe we should be
doing more of that these days. I was privileged to crew on the family Stadt 23,
Umoya on Vaal dam when not playing cricket, hockey or golf, which was seldom as
a scholar.
What are your achievements in sailing?
I like to think of myself a good seaman, thanks to
the influence of Alex Cousins of Yachtmaster Ocean Sailing School. I have
always been competitive in sports and have worked hard to improve as a racing
sailor, being largely self taught by applying knowledge gained from a library
of ‘go fast’ books, tested on Ray of Light and smaller Flying 15’s and J22’s. For
me a notable achievement was being consistently competitive in the Cape Town
club sailing scene with a fun loving mixed crew of old and young, men and
women, physically and mentally challenged, novices, a couple of French girls
and some elderly Hollanders was very rewarding. We enjoyed taking line honours in
last year’s Vasco but were disappointed to miss out on handicap, so will be
looking to improve this year. I was privileged to be part of Stuart Ritchie’s
crew on the Beneteau First 40, BMA that took line honours and the handicap win
in the 2011 Vasco. It was that experience that showed me what had to be done to
Ray of Light and her crew to convert her to a club racer from a world cruiser.
We have been improving our skills and the boat since then and now that we are
Durban based, have wonderful close racing on the water and on handicap with
Bellatrix (formerly BMA). One more achievement is to have survived a 360 degree
roll on a Stadt 23 named Dejavu in a regatta offshore PE in the 1998 while we
were debating whether or not to wear life jackets, we were struck by a breaking
wave just outside PE harbour. I trust our arrival in PE this year will be less
eventful.
What other class of boats have you / do you sail?
Apart from Ray of Light we
have a lovely wooden decked classic Flying 15 called Femme Fatale that has a
long history of sailing in Durban and Saldanha. We try to upset the carbon
fibre speed machines in Durban from time to time. We also enjoy fishing on our
little ski boat Sport’s Captain.
Best memory or moment that stands out for you so far in sailing?
Sailing in
the Southern Atlantic ocean was unforgettable, with spectacular bird life.
Another highlight was watching a marlin chasing our lures while doing 15 knots
downwind with the kite up when leaving the Canary Islands. Moments later we
crash gybed as the helms person was distracted by the marlin and consequently
had to head back to the Canaries for repairs. Returning Ray of Light to Cape
Town from Luderitz, jury rigged after being dismasted (due to the failure of a
rather light Sparcraft France factory fitting) in the 2012 Governors Cup, with
my wife Heidi and 4 year old Sean was memorable. The week long slow motor beat
with storm jib and a dabchick sized main into a building south easter while
standing watch with my little boy was something to be cherished, as was the
tuna we caught far offshore. Vasco 2014 was special as we had Heidi’s dad
Pieter and sister Sigi on the crew with us. With Sean it was three generations.
Vasco da pigeon joined us 25 miles offshore as we approached and entered to Durban
harbour. Fancy a pigeon finding us way out at sea.
What do you most enjoy about sailing?
I get great joy from being in God’s
creation experiencing the freedom of the open ocean while being driven along by
the power of the wind. The sea life is always amazing, it’s like an extended
game drive! The concentration and focus needed to keep the boat sailing
efficiently is a great way to get your mind off life’s other distractions and
challenges. Most of all I enjoy sharing the experience with my wife and son.
What are you hoping to achieve in this year’s Vasco da Gama race?
I would
like to arrive safely in PE with the boat and crew in one piece. We have
learned that despite rigorous and thorough preparation, unforeseen mishaps
happen. I would like to sail the boat to its potential and perhaps catch a 20kg
tuna on the way to PE or on the way back to Durban.
What has sailing taught you?
So many things, including self sufficiency,
innovation and problem solving. It has taught me practical skills like how to
service a diesel engine, a marine toilet and to replace steering cables
(remember to cross them!). Let’s not talk about black water holding tanks.
Sailing has taught me the value of teamwork, clear communication, proper
preparation and thinking ahead to anticipate what will happen next. It has made
a weather man of me and taught me to work hard to fund the passion! Most of all
it has allowed me to spend priceless moments with my family at sea and in the
bay in a wide variety of circumstances. On a lighter note I have learned to
avoid vomit flying from the weather rail and even tack naked as happened in
last years Vasco when we got a little too close to the shore while I was down
below trying to suit up for the night ahead and was called on deck in a hurry.
Role model in sailing?
My Grandfather, Uncle and Father in Law who planted
and nurtured the love of sailing in me.
Role model in life?
Jesus Christ
What are you hobbies?
Golf, fishing, garden cricket with my son
Besides sailing, any other sport you participate in / excel in?
In the past
cricket / hockey / golf, now days sailing and fishing take up most of the spare
time with a little golf now and then.
Describe yourself in one word?
Content
Where would you like to be in five years / what will you like to have achieved?
I have no five year plan, never have. I try to live each day to the fullest and
although difficult, try not to worry about tomorrow, as it will take care of
itself.
Anything of interest that you would like to add:
My wife Heidi and son Sean who is now six, have
done most of the 20,000 miles we have clocked up together on Ray of Light. The
privilege to sail together has been immense; sailing is definitely a great
family sport. It saddens me that there are not more families sailing together. I
am hopeful that Heidi’s deteriorating physical condition will not prevent her
from joining us for this race. We look forward to another voyage together and
to sharing the experience with our good friends and crew in the Vasco 2015. We
are especially looking forward to the duel with Nemesis, owned by Heidi’s
sister Sigi and husband Anthony Bailes.
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