Vanderwall you’re a failure you’re a disaster and
you’re a failure you’re a disaster and
you’re a failure you’re a disaster and you’re wasting my time in my class these
you’re wasting my time in my class these
you’re wasting my time in my class these were the the warm and comforting words
were the the warm and comforting words
were the the warm and comforting words of my art teacher in ninth grade in Cape
of my art teacher in ninth grade in Cape
of my art teacher in ninth grade in Cape Town but I beg to differ
Town but I beg to differ
Town but I beg to differ thirty years of successful marine
thirty years of successful marine
thirty years of successful marine photography so to boil down to a few
photography so to boil down to a few
photography so to boil down to a few points which are drive opportunity
points which are drive opportunity
points which are drive opportunity confidence and support and those items
confidence and support and those items
confidence and support and those items will come up through my my talk as you
will come up through my my talk as you
will come up through my my talk as you see it all started with my grandfather
see it all started with my grandfather
see it all started with my grandfather he planted the seed and sailing was
he planted the seed and sailing was
he planted the seed and sailing was brought to me before I could walk
brought to me before I could walk
brought to me before I could walk in Holland we emigrated we went on the
in Holland we emigrated we went on the
in Holland we emigrated we went on the ship in 1959 time for a new country a
ship in 1959 time for a new country a
ship in 1959 time for a new country a new language a new challenge a big
new language a new challenge a big
new language a new challenge a big challenge for my parents little did
challenge for my parents little did
challenge for my parents little did people know that 30 years later I’d be
people know that 30 years later I’d be
people know that 30 years later I’d be sailing across the ocean myself and
sailing across the ocean myself and
sailing across the ocean myself and driving the bus myself little guy every
driving the bus myself little guy every
driving the bus myself little guy every immigrant is welcomed by this great view
immigrant is welcomed by this great view
immigrant is welcomed by this great view of table mountain and table you know
of table mountain and table you know
of table mountain and table you know Table Bay obviously there’s hidden
Table Bay obviously there’s hidden
Table Bay obviously there’s hidden agendas there’s excitement a new world
agendas there’s excitement a new world
agendas there’s excitement a new world is waiting for me the new world was the
is waiting for me the new world was the
is waiting for me the new world was the challenge of especially the school and
challenge of especially the school and
challenge of especially the school and the high school what a disaster that was
the high school what a disaster that was
the high school what a disaster that was for me I didn’t feel I belonged in this
for me I didn’t feel I belonged in this
for me I didn’t feel I belonged in this place the teachers told me continuously
place the teachers told me continuously
place the teachers told me continuously you’re gonna fail you’re gonna repeat
you’re gonna fail you’re gonna repeat
you’re gonna fail you’re gonna repeat you’re gonna have to repeat the classes
you’re gonna have to repeat the classes
you’re gonna have to repeat the classes like whatever you know I just have to be
like whatever you know I just have to be
like whatever you know I just have to be there if I didn’t go to school I’d if I
there if I didn’t go to school I’d if I
there if I didn’t go to school I’d if I didn’t get on the school bus the old man
didn’t get on the school bus the old man
didn’t get on the school bus the old man was having a conniption
was having a conniption
was having a conniption this was my classroom this was my
this was my classroom this was my
this was my classroom this was my calling
calling
calling I loved the smell of the fishing boat
I loved the smell of the fishing boat
I loved the smell of the fishing boat some people don’t like the smell of a
some people don’t like the smell of a
some people don’t like the smell of a fishing boat to me it was my classroom
fishing boat to me it was my classroom
fishing boat to me it was my classroom the sound of the engine the birds that
the sound of the engine the birds that
the sound of the engine the birds that the black and the colored workers
the black and the colored workers
the black and the colored workers yelling and the excitement of working
yelling and the excitement of working
yelling and the excitement of working there there were times when I would lay
there there were times when I would lay
there there were times when I would lay in bed at 6:00 in the morning ready to
in bed at 6:00 in the morning ready to
in bed at 6:00 in the morning ready to go to school and I would hear that it’s
go to school and I would hear that it’s
go to school and I would hear that it’s the engine eyes like
the engine eyes like
the engine eyes like I just have to go fishing but I had to
I just have to go fishing but I had to
I just have to go fishing but I had to complete school this was really my my
complete school this was really my my
complete school this was really my my preferred school uniform no polished
preferred school uniform no polished
preferred school uniform no polished black shoes no tie this was it I was
black shoes no tie this was it I was
black shoes no tie this was it I was this was my happy spot you know
this was my happy spot you know
this was my happy spot you know opportunities come and go in one’s life
opportunities come and go in one’s life
opportunities come and go in one’s life and this was an occasion where the door
and this was an occasion where the door
and this was an occasion where the door opened for me at 8 o’clock on a Saturday
opened for me at 8 o’clock on a Saturday
opened for me at 8 o’clock on a Saturday morning my dad got a call from a friend
morning my dad got a call from a friend
morning my dad got a call from a friend health and Mahler who had just finished
health and Mahler who had just finished
health and Mahler who had just finished building a 30-foot sailboat he says get
building a 30-foot sailboat he says get
building a 30-foot sailboat he says get that boy of yours out of bed we want him
that boy of yours out of bed we want him
that boy of yours out of bed we want him to come and sail with us we need a hand
to come and sail with us we need a hand
to come and sail with us we need a hand we need somebody no no’s
we need somebody no no’s
we need somebody no no’s knows a little about sailing a little
knows a little about sailing a little
knows a little about sailing a little about the sea to come and give me a hand
about the sea to come and give me a hand
about the sea to come and give me a hand he was pretty green on boats and my dad
he was pretty green on boats and my dad
he was pretty green on boats and my dad shouted this down the hallway to me and
shouted this down the hallway to me and
shouted this down the hallway to me and I shouted back as a typical teenager at
I shouted back as a typical teenager at
I shouted back as a typical teenager at 8:00 in the morning
8:00 in the morning
8:00 in the morning now I’m gonna sleep I’m not interested
now I’m gonna sleep I’m not interested
now I’m gonna sleep I’m not interested let him go sailing but I lay down and
let him go sailing but I lay down and
let him go sailing but I lay down and sort of dozed for a while and I thought
sort of dozed for a while and I thought
sort of dozed for a while and I thought what else am I gonna do why don’t I go
what else am I gonna do why don’t I go
what else am I gonna do why don’t I go sailing I said bah
sailing I said bah
sailing I said bah tell him I’m coming I’m on my way so I
tell him I’m coming I’m on my way so I
tell him I’m coming I’m on my way so I got dressed jumped in the car went
got dressed jumped in the car went
got dressed jumped in the car went sailing I had a blast
sailing I had a blast
sailing I had a blast talk about a door opening and a whole
talk about a door opening and a whole
talk about a door opening and a whole new channel opening up for me I didn’t
new channel opening up for me I didn’t
new channel opening up for me I didn’t know it at the time
know it at the time
know it at the time I loved the sailing I love being with
I loved the sailing I love being with
I loved the sailing I love being with Alton and Cynthia on the boat it was
Alton and Cynthia on the boat it was
Alton and Cynthia on the boat it was just no shouting teachers no straight of
just no shouting teachers no straight of
just no shouting teachers no straight of homework you know I was I was having a
homework you know I was I was having a
homework you know I was I was having a good time you can see I’m having a good
good time you can see I’m having a good
good time you can see I’m having a good time
time
time relaxed I was the king of the foredeck
relaxed I was the king of the foredeck
relaxed I was the king of the foredeck you know my yellow boots the smell of
you know my yellow boots the smell of
you know my yellow boots the smell of the sea the feel of the pitch of the
the sea the feel of the pitch of the
the sea the feel of the pitch of the boat this was it these were my textbooks
boat this was it these were my textbooks
boat this was it these were my textbooks I didn’t need to learn Shakespeare I
I didn’t need to learn Shakespeare I
I didn’t need to learn Shakespeare I flunked English all the time they kept
flunked English all the time they kept
flunked English all the time they kept me back for two years in standard 7 & 8
me back for two years in standard 7 & 8
me back for two years in standard 7 & 8 which is grades 9 and 10 but this if you
which is grades 9 and 10 but this if you
which is grades 9 and 10 but this if you had tested me on these boats who won the
had tested me on these boats who won the
had tested me on these boats who won the round-the-world race in 1973 who did I
round-the-world race in 1973 who did I
round-the-world race in 1973 who did I knew it all these were my heroes and
knew it all these were my heroes and
knew it all these were my heroes and this is what I wanted to do my dad said
this is what I wanted to do my dad said
this is what I wanted to do my dad said you know Merchant Marine that’s your
you know Merchant Marine that’s your
you know Merchant Marine that’s your calling I said psyche let’s do it work
calling I said psyche let’s do it work
calling I said psyche let’s do it work hard at my maths and sort of got my
hard at my maths and sort of got my
hard at my maths and sort of got my grades together
grades together
grades together Kabang the door slammed in my face on
Kabang the door slammed in my face on
Kabang the door slammed in my face on that project I was color blind can you
that project I was color blind can you
that project I was color blind can you imagine so as a color
imagine so as a color
imagine so as a color lines navigation officer you can’t see
lines navigation officer you can’t see
lines navigation officer you can’t see the nav lights in the story my dad being
the nav lights in the story my dad being
the nav lights in the story my dad being the support of old man that he was said
the support of old man that he was said
the support of old man that he was said I’ve got a project for you you must go
I’ve got a project for you you must go
I’ve got a project for you you must go and become a machinist do an
and become a machinist do an
and become a machinist do an apprenticeship it’s a five-year course
apprenticeship it’s a five-year course
apprenticeship it’s a five-year course you come out of there with a piece of
you come out of there with a piece of
you come out of there with a piece of paper and you will be able to go back to
paper and you will be able to go back to
paper and you will be able to go back to see you can do whatever you like well
see you can do whatever you like well
see you can do whatever you like well the challenge here was to finish the
the challenge here was to finish the
the challenge here was to finish the course in three years not the five you
course in three years not the five you
course in three years not the five you get one shot at it you get a test if you
get one shot at it you get a test if you
get one shot at it you get a test if you have an aptitude for it you can nail it
have an aptitude for it you can nail it
have an aptitude for it you can nail it you’re out of there and what was the
you’re out of there and what was the
you’re out of there and what was the drive I could have said five years or
drive I could have said five years or
drive I could have said five years or cruise along I get paid I didn’t care
cruise along I get paid I didn’t care
cruise along I get paid I didn’t care but after three years this was the
but after three years this was the
but after three years this was the temptation this was the carrot I’d been
temptation this was the carrot I’d been
temptation this was the carrot I’d been asked to sail on this boat a
asked to sail on this boat a
asked to sail on this boat a transatlantic race as starting helmsman
transatlantic race as starting helmsman
transatlantic race as starting helmsman watch captain senior crew member but I
watch captain senior crew member but I
watch captain senior crew member but I had to finish the trade school in three
had to finish the trade school in three
had to finish the trade school in three years of course I did and the support of
years of course I did and the support of
years of course I did and the support of the foreman was phenomenal we were there
the foreman was phenomenal we were there
the foreman was phenomenal we were there to produce parts for the canning
to produce parts for the canning
to produce parts for the canning industry in southern Africa but he put
industry in southern Africa but he put
industry in southern Africa but he put me on a bench for three months and said
me on a bench for three months and said
me on a bench for three months and said you are gonna practice trade pieces
you are gonna practice trade pieces
you are gonna practice trade pieces you’re gonna pass you’re gonna go
you’re gonna pass you’re gonna go
you’re gonna pass you’re gonna go sailing and that’s really what you want
sailing and that’s really what you want
sailing and that’s really what you want to do and then you can get rid of your
to do and then you can get rid of your
to do and then you can get rid of your overall and go outside sound like a plan
overall and go outside sound like a plan
overall and go outside sound like a plan to me the adventure was phenomenal
to me the adventure was phenomenal
to me the adventure was phenomenal we won the race we did you know very
we won the race we did you know very
we won the race we did you know very well 24 days at sea my first
well 24 days at sea my first
well 24 days at sea my first transatlantic crossing I loved it I
transatlantic crossing I loved it I
transatlantic crossing I loved it I loved being at night on decks trimming
loved being at night on decks trimming
loved being at night on decks trimming sails lightning hitting the ocean
sails lightning hitting the ocean
sails lightning hitting the ocean everywhere
everywhere
everywhere this was my classroom and I was getting
this was my classroom and I was getting
this was my classroom and I was getting straight A’s this was a picture I took
straight A’s this was a picture I took
straight A’s this was a picture I took got going back from South America to
got going back from South America to
got going back from South America to Cape Town by the roaring 40s at about 40
Cape Town by the roaring 40s at about 40
Cape Town by the roaring 40s at about 40 degrees south all hell broke loose 80
degrees south all hell broke loose 80
degrees south all hell broke loose 80 knots of breeze most of us most people
knots of breeze most of us most people
knots of breeze most of us most people have never even seen 80 knots of breeze
have never even seen 80 knots of breeze
have never even seen 80 knots of breeze I didn’t want to see it it was a scary
I didn’t want to see it it was a scary
I didn’t want to see it it was a scary moment 50 feet of you know big green
moment 50 feet of you know big green
moment 50 feet of you know big green waves 20 feet of breaking water on top
waves 20 feet of breaking water on top
waves 20 feet of breaking water on top of it this is what we had to deal with
of it this is what we had to deal with
of it this is what we had to deal with for four days we had these conditions
for four days we had these conditions
for four days we had these conditions the southern ocean is notorious for
the southern ocean is notorious for
the southern ocean is notorious for these kind of conditions the boat slowed
these kind of conditions the boat slowed
these kind of conditions the boat slowed down the wave I was driving and I heard
down the wave I was driving and I heard
down the wave I was driving and I heard behind me this thundering
behind me this thundering
behind me this thundering and I look behind me this is what we saw
and I look behind me this is what we saw
and I look behind me this is what we saw these is like a day at the beach that we
these is like a day at the beach that we
these is like a day at the beach that we weren’t at the beach the wave caught the
weren’t at the beach the wave caught the
weren’t at the beach the wave caught the boat the the brave broke over the deck
boat the the brave broke over the deck
boat the the brave broke over the deck of the boat the boat slewed round like
of the boat the boat slewed round like
of the boat the boat slewed round like this laid the ring in the water I was
this laid the ring in the water I was
this laid the ring in the water I was holding on to the wheel like you know we
holding on to the wheel like you know we
holding on to the wheel like you know we survived we got home it was this is it
survived we got home it was this is it
survived we got home it was this is it this is what I loved doing I’m glad my
this is what I loved doing I’m glad my
this is what I loved doing I’m glad my mother never found out what happened
mother never found out what happened
mother never found out what happened that day out in the southern ocean she
that day out in the southern ocean she
that day out in the southern ocean she almost lost her little boy right there
almost lost her little boy right there
almost lost her little boy right there and then I continued to do a lot of
and then I continued to do a lot of
and then I continued to do a lot of racing here in the US in Europe in New
racing here in the US in Europe in New
racing here in the US in Europe in New Zealand all over the world and this was
Zealand all over the world and this was
Zealand all over the world and this was my college this was my I was working on
my college this was my I was working on
my college this was my I was working on my degree I got my machinist paper but
my degree I got my machinist paper but
my degree I got my machinist paper but that was firmly tucked in my child where
that was firmly tucked in my child where
that was firmly tucked in my child where they gave jacket I wanted to do more
they gave jacket I wanted to do more
they gave jacket I wanted to do more sailing that was my calling the longer
sailing that was my calling the longer
sailing that was my calling the longer the race is the better my goal and my
the race is the better my goal and my
the race is the better my goal and my mission was the wood bread round the
mission was the wood bread round the
mission was the wood bread round the boat race and I’d read about it I’d
boat race and I’d read about it I’d
boat race and I’d read about it I’d heard about it the boats had come into
heard about it the boats had come into
heard about it the boats had come into Cape Town I’d go down and I’d listen to
Cape Town I’d go down and I’d listen to
Cape Town I’d go down and I’d listen to them finishing at 2:00 in the morning I
them finishing at 2:00 in the morning I
them finishing at 2:00 in the morning I was like that just hit me and I thought
was like that just hit me and I thought
was like that just hit me and I thought that’s what I want to do the Whitbread
that’s what I want to do the Whitbread
that’s what I want to do the Whitbread race is a thirty two thousand mile race
race is a thirty two thousand mile race
race is a thirty two thousand mile race around the world fully crewed three
around the world fully crewed three
around the world fully crewed three stops and it’s just balls to the wall
stops and it’s just balls to the wall
stops and it’s just balls to the wall sailing as you can see on the chart you
sailing as you can see on the chart you
sailing as you can see on the chart you know once you get through Cape Town
know once you get through Cape Town
know once you get through Cape Town you’re in the Southern Ocean thousands
you’re in the Southern Ocean thousands
you’re in the Southern Ocean thousands of miles of big waves and in rough
of miles of big waves and in rough
of miles of big waves and in rough weather this is the man that had won the
weather this is the man that had won the
weather this is the man that had won the race once before four years ago he was
race once before four years ago he was
race once before four years ago he was my hero
my hero
my hero a successful venture capitalist from
a successful venture capitalist from
a successful venture capitalist from Rotterdam in the Netherlands and I said
Rotterdam in the Netherlands and I said
Rotterdam in the Netherlands and I said I’m gonna go to the top I’m gonna go to
I’m gonna go to the top I’m gonna go to
I’m gonna go to the top I’m gonna go to the best guy this was like the Dennis
the best guy this was like the Dennis
the best guy this was like the Dennis Conner of Whitbread races I’m gonna go
Conner of Whitbread races I’m gonna go
Conner of Whitbread races I’m gonna go to the best guy I sent him a letter and
to the best guy I sent him a letter and
to the best guy I sent him a letter and I said Connie I want to be part of your
I said Connie I want to be part of your
I said Connie I want to be part of your team you need me well he liked that he
team you need me well he liked that he
team you need me well he liked that he said let’s meet we met him at the Boston
said let’s meet we met him at the Boston
said let’s meet we met him at the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead and we sat down
Yacht Club in Marblehead and we sat down
Yacht Club in Marblehead and we sat down for dinner had a great chef he showed me
for dinner had a great chef he showed me
for dinner had a great chef he showed me the plans of the boat and at the end of
the plans of the boat and at the end of
the plans of the boat and at the end of the evening it’s just okay thanks for
the evening it’s just okay thanks for
the evening it’s just okay thanks for coming it’s like and yeah what are we
coming it’s like and yeah what are we
coming it’s like and yeah what are we going to do is that I’m not on or am I
going to do is that I’m not on or am I
going to do is that I’m not on or am I on well I got the nod he said join the
on well I got the nod he said join the
on well I got the nod he said join the boat this is a picture of the boat a
boat this is a picture of the boat a
boat this is a picture of the boat a sketch of what he had to show me and I
sketch of what he had to show me and I
sketch of what he had to show me and I was like ah that is that is it this is a
was like ah that is that is it this is a
was like ah that is that is it this is a custom-built boat owner be part of the
custom-built boat owner be part of the
custom-built boat owner be part of the project and here was another an
project and here was another an
project and here was another an opportunity in my life
opportunity in my life
opportunity in my life which at the time seemed quite a cool
which at the time seemed quite a cool
which at the time seemed quite a cool thing but little did I know it would
thing but little did I know it would
thing but little did I know it would open a door for my career later on and
open a door for my career later on and
open a door for my career later on and I’m on the boat to run a mooring in
I’m on the boat to run a mooring in
I’m on the boat to run a mooring in Marblehead after doing some sail tries
Marblehead after doing some sail tries
Marblehead after doing some sail tries this is before the race I hear a knock
this is before the race I hear a knock
this is before the race I hear a knock knock knock on the hull there’s four
knock knock on the hull there’s four
knock knock on the hull there’s four guys in suits in a little rowing boat
guys in suits in a little rowing boat
guys in suits in a little rowing boat I’m like guys doing are you crazy all
I’m like guys doing are you crazy all
I’m like guys doing are you crazy all dressed up and in a lousy little boat
dressed up and in a lousy little boat
dressed up and in a lousy little boat we are the publishers of sail magazine I
we are the publishers of sail magazine I
we are the publishers of sail magazine I didn’t even know what a publisher was so
didn’t even know what a publisher was so
didn’t even know what a publisher was so I have to sounds impressive then we want
I have to sounds impressive then we want
I have to sounds impressive then we want to see your boat we’re here it’s a
to see your boat we’re here it’s a
to see your boat we’re here it’s a famous boat it’s great it’s custom-built
famous boat it’s great it’s custom-built
famous boat it’s great it’s custom-built for the next race coming up I said be my
for the next race coming up I said be my
for the next race coming up I said be my guest
guest
guest come on onboard I’d been doing some
come on onboard I’d been doing some
come on onboard I’d been doing some cleaning up in the engine room and
cleaning up in the engine room and
cleaning up in the engine room and working I showed them the whole boat and
working I showed them the whole boat and
working I showed them the whole boat and at the end I said thank you I said hold
at the end I said thank you I said hold
at the end I said thank you I said hold on can I just show you what I’ve been
on can I just show you what I’ve been
on can I just show you what I’ve been working on just a little hobby
working on just a little hobby
working on just a little hobby it was slides in a sleeve and I said
it was slides in a sleeve and I said
it was slides in a sleeve and I said have a look at this in the editor a
have a look at this in the editor a
have a look at this in the editor a short guard from New Zealand Keith
short guard from New Zealand Keith
short guard from New Zealand Keith Taylor helped he’s looked at me and says
Taylor helped he’s looked at me and says
Taylor helped he’s looked at me and says this is very nice Vanderwall I said
this is very nice Vanderwall I said
this is very nice Vanderwall I said thank you
thank you
thank you is it can I take these with me the next
is it can I take these with me the next
is it can I take these with me the next day he returned and he said here are 20
day he returned and he said here are 20
day he returned and he said here are 20 rolls of Kodachrome and I went would you
rolls of Kodachrome and I went would you
rolls of Kodachrome and I went would you I would like you to shoot this race for
I would like you to shoot this race for
I would like you to shoot this race for us sale magazine and everything every
us sale magazine and everything every
us sale magazine and everything every leg you will send the pictures back and
leg you will send the pictures back and
leg you will send the pictures back and we will will use them hopefully it’ll
we will will use them hopefully it’ll
we will will use them hopefully it’ll work out I said let’s give it a go the
work out I said let’s give it a go the
work out I said let’s give it a go the race lived up to everything I had
race lived up to everything I had
race lived up to everything I had expected and dreamt of big waves big
expected and dreamt of big waves big
expected and dreamt of big waves big breeze we had 16 top top-of-the-line
breeze we had 16 top top-of-the-line
breeze we had 16 top top-of-the-line guys that had been picked from a hundred
guys that had been picked from a hundred
guys that had been picked from a hundred and fifty crew members who applied for
and fifty crew members who applied for
and fifty crew members who applied for the job I made the cut I was one of 16
the job I made the cut I was one of 16
the job I made the cut I was one of 16 and talked about sailing with a bunch of
and talked about sailing with a bunch of
and talked about sailing with a bunch of good guys
good guys
good guys people said weren’t you scared it was
people said weren’t you scared it was
people said weren’t you scared it was flying 50 knots or you know you were
flying 50 knots or you know you were
flying 50 knots or you know you were doing 30 knots down these waves and
doing 30 knots down these waves and
doing 30 knots down these waves and doing almost 400 miles a day I said but
doing almost 400 miles a day I said but
doing almost 400 miles a day I said but we had good guys and the old man who was
we had good guys and the old man who was
we had good guys and the old man who was our fearless leader who supplied the
our fearless leader who supplied the
our fearless leader who supplied the money for the program knew how to do it
money for the program knew how to do it
money for the program knew how to do it he was in control disaster strikes the
he was in control disaster strikes the
he was in control disaster strikes the old man between Cape Town and New
old man between Cape Town and New
old man between Cape Town and New Zealand down in the depths of the
Zealand down in the depths of the
Zealand down in the depths of the Southern Ocean as a heart attack we’re
Southern Ocean as a heart attack we’re
Southern Ocean as a heart attack we’re like oh my goodness well of course we
like oh my goodness well of course we
like oh my goodness well of course we had a great doctor on board and he sort
had a great doctor on board and he sort
had a great doctor on board and he sort of sorted him out and kept him alive in
of sorted him out and kept him alive in
of sorted him out and kept him alive in his bunk but the vibe on board sort of
his bunk but the vibe on board sort of
his bunk but the vibe on board sort of went downhill a bit the old man
went downhill a bit the old man
went downhill a bit the old man Westerner
Westerner
Westerner on the program from down below and we’re
on the program from down below and we’re
on the program from down below and we’re like so we got to New Zealand and you
like so we got to New Zealand and you
like so we got to New Zealand and you know some of the crew said I’m done with
know some of the crew said I’m done with
know some of the crew said I’m done with this this is crazy and you know and I
this this is crazy and you know and I
this this is crazy and you know and I thought to myself yeah that’s easy to
thought to myself yeah that’s easy to
thought to myself yeah that’s easy to bail out after two legs and then ten
bail out after two legs and then ten
bail out after two legs and then ten years down the road you’re sitting
years down the road you’re sitting
years down the road you’re sitting somewhere in a bar telling horror
somewhere in a bar telling horror
somewhere in a bar telling horror stories or you want to attract some cute
stories or you want to attract some cute
stories or you want to attract some cute girl and yeah all I did was two legs of
girl and yeah all I did was two legs of
girl and yeah all I did was two legs of a Whitbread race I mean that doesn’t cut
a Whitbread race I mean that doesn’t cut
a Whitbread race I mean that doesn’t cut it I did four I finished the Whitbread
it I did four I finished the Whitbread
it I did four I finished the Whitbread round-the-world race I persevered I
round-the-world race I persevered I
round-the-world race I persevered I stuck it out and it turned around we we
stuck it out and it turned around we we
stuck it out and it turned around we we won the whole race we won the
won the whole race we won the
won the whole race we won the handicapped race we were the first into
handicapped race we were the first into
handicapped race we were the first into every port and you know it was just such
every port and you know it was just such
every port and you know it was just such a worthwhile and wonderful Everest for
a worthwhile and wonderful Everest for
a worthwhile and wonderful Everest for me that was really my Everest here’s a
me that was really my Everest here’s a
me that was really my Everest here’s a photograph my first cover 1982 that I’d
photograph my first cover 1982 that I’d
photograph my first cover 1982 that I’d ever got and you know I think to myself
ever got and you know I think to myself
ever got and you know I think to myself did I shoot that for myself or for my
did I shoot that for myself or for my
did I shoot that for myself or for my parents at a slideshow or for sale
parents at a slideshow or for sale
parents at a slideshow or for sale magazine but it’s really for myself and
magazine but it’s really for myself and
magazine but it’s really for myself and then whatever else happened after that
then whatever else happened after that
then whatever else happened after that is fine and you know just a little side
is fine and you know just a little side
is fine and you know just a little side note I was at sail magazine offices many
note I was at sail magazine offices many
note I was at sail magazine offices many years later and he says to me this old
years later and he says to me this old
years later and he says to me this old guy comes up to me says Vanderwall you
guy comes up to me says Vanderwall you
guy comes up to me says Vanderwall you are a nutcase you know you could have
are a nutcase you know you could have
are a nutcase you know you could have killed yourself at the end of that
killed yourself at the end of that
killed yourself at the end of that spinnaker pole in the Southern Ocean
spinnaker pole in the Southern Ocean
spinnaker pole in the Southern Ocean I said yeah but I got the shot you know
I said yeah but I got the shot you know
I said yeah but I got the shot you know and I had to go up there and do some
and I had to go up there and do some
and I had to go up there and do some work on the after guys and all that
work on the after guys and all that
work on the after guys and all that stuff and I went up again and I said you
stuff and I went up again and I said you
stuff and I went up again and I said you can sit in your office and shout all you
can sit in your office and shout all you
can sit in your office and shout all you like but I was living my adventure and I
like but I was living my adventure and I
like but I was living my adventure and I got the pictures I got to a point where
got the pictures I got to a point where
got the pictures I got to a point where I was tired of living out of a sea bag
I was tired of living out of a sea bag
I was tired of living out of a sea bag and you know it didn’t listen didn’t
and you know it didn’t listen didn’t
and you know it didn’t listen didn’t want to listen to some other guy
want to listen to some other guy
want to listen to some other guy screaming at me from the back of the
screaming at me from the back of the
screaming at me from the back of the boat to get that spinnaker down and I’m
boat to get that spinnaker down and I’m
boat to get that spinnaker down and I’m gonna start my own business sailing a
gonna start my own business sailing a
gonna start my own business sailing a magazine out of the Midwest found a
magazine out of the Midwest found a
magazine out of the Midwest found a couple of my photographs and gave me a
couple of my photographs and gave me a
couple of my photographs and gave me a chef and said we want to run an article
chef and said we want to run an article
chef and said we want to run an article on you called camera with us what’s it
on you called camera with us what’s it
on you called camera with us what’s it sailor with a camera and I said cool
sailor with a camera and I said cool
sailor with a camera and I said cool that’s great yeah I’d love it and this
that’s great yeah I’d love it and this
that’s great yeah I’d love it and this was actually taken during the Transpac
was actually taken during the Transpac
was actually taken during the Transpac race from LA to Honolulu and my friends
race from LA to Honolulu and my friends
race from LA to Honolulu and my friends all said to me stop sailing around and
all said to me stop sailing around and
all said to me stop sailing around and get settled down you know and I said I
get settled down you know and I said I
get settled down you know and I said I am ready and I had a burning desire to
am ready and I had a burning desire to
am ready and I had a burning desire to work for myself and do
work for myself and do
work for myself and do on my own and you know according to the
on my own and you know according to the
on my own and you know according to the art teacher it was a dismal failure the
art teacher it was a dismal failure the
art teacher it was a dismal failure the headmaster said I would never make
headmaster said I would never make
headmaster said I would never make anything with my life I knew inside me I
anything with my life I knew inside me I
anything with my life I knew inside me I had a track and I was on my track of
had a track and I was on my track of
had a track and I was on my track of sailing and I loved it but here was an
sailing and I loved it but here was an
sailing and I loved it but here was an opportunity to start my own business
opportunity to start my own business
opportunity to start my own business photography I was going to start a photo
photography I was going to start a photo
photography I was going to start a photo business than just a little little side
business than just a little little side
business than just a little little side note here I called my mom in South
note here I called my mom in South
note here I called my mom in South Africa said hey mom I’m gonna start a
Africa said hey mom I’m gonna start a
Africa said hey mom I’m gonna start a photo business in Newport hang my
photo business in Newport hang my
photo business in Newport hang my shingle out and I thought she’d say
shingle out and I thought she’d say
shingle out and I thought she’d say something like you’re crazy what are you
something like you’re crazy what are you
something like you’re crazy what are you doing you know she says if anybody can
doing you know she says if anybody can
doing you know she says if anybody can do it
do it
do it my mother’s behind me and that’s
my mother’s behind me and that’s
my mother’s behind me and that’s important but there were challenges all
important but there were challenges all
important but there were challenges all along the way and one of them was
along the way and one of them was
along the way and one of them was getting working papers for the United
getting working papers for the United
getting working papers for the United States I loved Newport these were people
States I loved Newport these were people
States I loved Newport these were people that I loved hanging out with so many
that I loved hanging out with so many
that I loved hanging out with so many hurdles and many lawyers later and
hurdles and many lawyers later and
hurdles and many lawyers later and thousands of dollars I got my first
thousands of dollars I got my first
thousands of dollars I got my first working visa hallelujah and so that’s
working visa hallelujah and so that’s
working visa hallelujah and so that’s how it started today I am an American
how it started today I am an American
how it started today I am an American citizen so you know it’s all the work
citizen so you know it’s all the work
citizen so you know it’s all the work kept coming in the covers were produced
kept coming in the covers were produced
kept coming in the covers were produced it was all going according to plan I was
it was all going according to plan I was
it was all going according to plan I was driven driven and focused no matter what
driven driven and focused no matter what
driven driven and focused no matter what happened a cute girl would call me say
happened a cute girl would call me say
happened a cute girl would call me say hey we’re going here do you want to come
hey we’re going here do you want to come
hey we’re going here do you want to come along I am working tomorrow I’m shooting
along I am working tomorrow I’m shooting
along I am working tomorrow I’m shooting fancy dinners was pasta and maybe I was
fancy dinners was pasta and maybe I was
fancy dinners was pasta and maybe I was luckier coke you know so it was all
luckier coke you know so it was all
luckier coke you know so it was all about being really focused and I loved
about being really focused and I loved
about being really focused and I loved what I doing with my sailing background
what I doing with my sailing background
what I doing with my sailing background I had a good understanding of the
I had a good understanding of the
I had a good understanding of the industry and I felt I had a good you
industry and I felt I had a good you
industry and I felt I had a good you know feel for shooting photographs this
know feel for shooting photographs this
know feel for shooting photographs this was where it was going
was where it was going
was where it was going I loved the challenges of Technology you
I loved the challenges of Technology you
I loved the challenges of Technology you know being a techie guy from my
know being a techie guy from my
know being a techie guy from my engineering or apprenticeship days
engineering or apprenticeship days
engineering or apprenticeship days anytime there was something new in the
anytime there was something new in the
anytime there was something new in the photo industry I jumped at it and so on
photo industry I jumped at it and so on
photo industry I jumped at it and so on the right hand side the small silver
the right hand side the small silver
the right hand side the small silver camera is what I worked within on on the
camera is what I worked within on on the
camera is what I worked within on on the round-the-world race and very basic
round-the-world race and very basic
round-the-world race and very basic manual focus and on the left is the
manual focus and on the left is the
manual focus and on the left is the camera that I use today and you can see
camera that I use today and you can see
camera that I use today and you can see you can drive a truck through it it has
you can drive a truck through it it has
you can drive a truck through it it has auto focus it has digital it was just
auto focus it has digital it was just
auto focus it has digital it was just magic but I kept banging away of my film
magic but I kept banging away of my film
magic but I kept banging away of my film roads this was 30 40 year olds a film I
roads this was 30 40 year olds a film I
roads this was 30 40 year olds a film I shot on a two-week assignment down in
shot on a two-week assignment down in
shot on a two-week assignment down in the South Pacific somebody one day came
the South Pacific somebody one day came
the South Pacific somebody one day came into my office and
into my office and
into my office and this little chip him on the like table
this little chip him on the like table
this little chip him on the like table and he said Vanderwall that’s the future
and he said Vanderwall that’s the future
and he said Vanderwall that’s the future that’s like what are you talking about
that’s like what are you talking about
that’s like what are you talking about what is that digital photography was
what is that digital photography was
what is that digital photography was right there and I jumped in Full Tilt
right there and I jumped in Full Tilt
right there and I jumped in Full Tilt and as you can see on the right hand
and as you can see on the right hand
and as you can see on the right hand side a little slide that’s what I was
side a little slide that’s what I was
side a little slide that’s what I was working on I’d shot many rolls of it
working on I’d shot many rolls of it
working on I’d shot many rolls of it digital was coming on but I had to learn
digital was coming on but I had to learn
digital was coming on but I had to learn the computer the software programs and I
the computer the software programs and I
the computer the software programs and I had these like flashbacks of you know
had these like flashbacks of you know
had these like flashbacks of you know school and the teacher screaming at me
school and the teacher screaming at me
school and the teacher screaming at me you don’t understand it what’s the
you don’t understand it what’s the
you don’t understand it what’s the matter with you
matter with you
matter with you but I I was focused on this and I loved
but I I was focused on this and I loved
but I I was focused on this and I loved learning so there’s a whole different
learning so there’s a whole different
learning so there’s a whole different atmosphere after 10 years of banging at
atmosphere after 10 years of banging at
atmosphere after 10 years of banging at the door of the Canon guys and the Canon
the door of the Canon guys and the Canon
the door of the Canon guys and the Canon Explorer of light which is a group of
Explorer of light which is a group of
Explorer of light which is a group of very exclusive you know top of the line
very exclusive you know top of the line
very exclusive you know top of the line shooters in the United States every year
shooters in the United States every year
shooters in the United States every year I went down to the show in New York at
I went down to the show in New York at
I went down to the show in New York at the Javits a big trade show and I found
the Javits a big trade show and I found
the Javits a big trade show and I found the guy who was in charge of the
the guy who was in charge of the
the guy who was in charge of the explorers program us today on
explorers program us today on
explorers program us today on evangelistic
evangelistic
evangelistic high how’s it going I’m too busy can’t
high how’s it going I’m too busy can’t
high how’s it going I’m too busy can’t talk now well this went on for 10 years
talk now well this went on for 10 years
talk now well this went on for 10 years and I just thought I am going to
and I just thought I am going to
and I just thought I am going to continue and you I’m gonna be in your
continue and you I’m gonna be in your
continue and you I’m gonna be in your program you will see I need you you need
program you will see I need you you need
program you will see I need you you need me and any case one day out of the blue
me and any case one day out of the blue
me and any case one day out of the blue he calls me up and he says oh no we need
he calls me up and he says oh no we need
he calls me up and he says oh no we need a picture that shows just the cameras
a picture that shows just the cameras
a picture that shows just the cameras hung how strong they are we want waves
hung how strong they are we want waves
hung how strong they are we want waves we invest time I have lots of those
we invest time I have lots of those
we invest time I have lots of those beautiful sailing pictures to you they
beautiful sailing pictures to you they
beautiful sailing pictures to you they took the picture I got into the program
took the picture I got into the program
took the picture I got into the program I ended up teaching lecturing you know
I ended up teaching lecturing you know
I ended up teaching lecturing you know looking at new equipment we’d have these
looking at new equipment we’d have these
looking at new equipment we’d have these secret meetings about you know what’s an
secret meetings about you know what’s an
secret meetings about you know what’s an icon doing you know what are we gonna do
icon doing you know what are we gonna do
icon doing you know what are we gonna do what do you think just a fantastic group
what do you think just a fantastic group
what do you think just a fantastic group of people to be involved with but you
of people to be involved with but you
of people to be involved with but you know one thing that they said to me is
know one thing that they said to me is
know one thing that they said to me is do not be left behind when video comes
do not be left behind when video comes
do not be left behind when video comes along the whole trick was here to be
along the whole trick was here to be
along the whole trick was here to be able to offer the client Stills and
able to offer the client Stills and
able to offer the client Stills and video so here you can see sitting in the
video so here you can see sitting in the
video so here you can see sitting in the helicopter shooting stills at video of
helicopter shooting stills at video of
helicopter shooting stills at video of Comanche a new hundred footer which was
Comanche a new hundred footer which was
Comanche a new hundred footer which was an exciting super exciting project to
an exciting super exciting project to
an exciting super exciting project to film but it was something else that I
film but it was something else that I
film but it was something else that I could offer my clients and really at the
could offer my clients and really at the
could offer my clients and really at the end of the day to have a successful
end of the day to have a successful
end of the day to have a successful photography business you can’t just sit
photography business you can’t just sit
photography business you can’t just sit at the windward mark and shoot windward
at the windward mark and shoot windward
at the windward mark and shoot windward setups or takedowns at the Luard mark
setups or takedowns at the Luard mark
setups or takedowns at the Luard mark you have to have you’ve got to diversify
you have to have you’ve got to diversify
you have to have you’ve got to diversify you’ve got
you’ve got
you’ve got have a lot of different things that you
have a lot of different things that you
have a lot of different things that you can pull on to make money for yourself
can pull on to make money for yourself
can pull on to make money for yourself so here I was doing the advertising
so here I was doing the advertising
so here I was doing the advertising industry shooting in about the powerboat
industry shooting in about the powerboat
industry shooting in about the powerboat industry and may I add that this is not
industry and may I add that this is not
industry and may I add that this is not done in Photoshop this was all created
done in Photoshop this was all created
done in Photoshop this was all created in the camera in one shot that was a
in the camera in one shot that was a
in the camera in one shot that was a two-second exposure with lights of the
two-second exposure with lights of the
two-second exposure with lights of the building as I had the boat turn around
building as I had the boat turn around
building as I had the boat turn around so you got these great the power but
so you got these great the power but
so you got these great the power but guys loved it in you know eight when I
guys loved it in you know eight when I
guys loved it in you know eight when I sort of smelt that the economy here was
sort of smelt that the economy here was
sort of smelt that the economy here was tanking I jumped on the plane banged on
tanking I jumped on the plane banged on
tanking I jumped on the plane banged on the door at dockwise headquarters in
the door at dockwise headquarters in
the door at dockwise headquarters in Holland and I said in my Dutch I said I
Holland and I said in my Dutch I said I
Holland and I said in my Dutch I said I want to work for you guys and they said
want to work for you guys and they said
want to work for you guys and they said Munir Thunderball as they say over there
Munir Thunderball as they say over there
Munir Thunderball as they say over there you came all the way from Boston and
you came all the way from Boston and
you came all the way from Boston and came to Amsterdam to sit here and pay on
came to Amsterdam to sit here and pay on
came to Amsterdam to sit here and pay on your pay your own way here to tell me
your pay your own way here to tell me
your pay your own way here to tell me that you want to work for us this is
that you want to work for us this is
that you want to work for us this is great we want to hire you we were if you
great we want to hire you we were if you
great we want to hire you we were if you can do a good job with this loading we
can do a good job with this loading we
can do a good job with this loading we will take you on well it all worked out
will take you on well it all worked out
will take you on well it all worked out that ago and you called me will you
that ago and you called me will you
that ago and you called me will you shoot some of your local people a little
shoot some of your local people a little
shoot some of your local people a little colour
colour
colour I loved setting things up and working
I loved setting things up and working
I loved setting things up and working with with Patagonia travel and leisure
with with Patagonia travel and leisure
with with Patagonia travel and leisure hired me for a bunch of successful
hired me for a bunch of successful
hired me for a bunch of successful assignments this was in Vanuatu in the
assignments this was in Vanuatu in the
assignments this was in Vanuatu in the South Pacific where I spent two weeks
South Pacific where I spent two weeks
South Pacific where I spent two weeks actually doing a reshoot for somebody
actually doing a reshoot for somebody
actually doing a reshoot for somebody that didn’t quite nail it they sent me
that didn’t quite nail it they sent me
that didn’t quite nail it they sent me back out there with the advent of
back out there with the advent of
back out there with the advent of digital photography came a slew of
digital photography came a slew of
digital photography came a slew of amateur photographers who for six or
amateur photographers who for six or
amateur photographers who for six or seven hundred dollars could pick up a
seven hundred dollars could pick up a
seven hundred dollars could pick up a good digital camera and become
good digital camera and become
good digital camera and become photographers that’s cool but they
photographers that’s cool but they
photographers that’s cool but they wanted to learn a little bit more about
wanted to learn a little bit more about
wanted to learn a little bit more about f-stop shutter speed and ISO and I
f-stop shutter speed and ISO and I
f-stop shutter speed and ISO and I suddenly thought workshops let’s take
suddenly thought workshops let’s take
suddenly thought workshops let’s take these hungry people put him on a power
these hungry people put him on a power
these hungry people put him on a power boat take him out on the racecourse or
boat take him out on the racecourse or
boat take him out on the racecourse or wherever under the bridge Rose Island
wherever under the bridge Rose Island
wherever under the bridge Rose Island wherever and we had started 3:00 in the
wherever and we had started 3:00 in the
wherever and we had started 3:00 in the afternoon and we’d go all the way
afternoon and we’d go all the way
afternoon and we’d go all the way through to sunset and I would walk
through to sunset and I would walk
through to sunset and I would walk around and say so Susan what do you want
around and say so Susan what do you want
around and say so Susan what do you want to learn oh I don’t know about shutter
to learn oh I don’t know about shutter
to learn oh I don’t know about shutter speed so any case I picked up and that
speed so any case I picked up and that
speed so any case I picked up and that was a nice extra little income source 15
was a nice extra little income source 15
was a nice extra little income source 15 years ago my wife
years ago my wife
years ago my wife Tenley said to me you know your work is
Tenley said to me you know your work is
Tenley said to me you know your work is great in the magazines but the public
great in the magazines but the public
great in the magazines but the public cannot see your work we need to start a
cannot see your work we need to start a
cannot see your work we need to start a gallery I said good idea but I was very
gallery I said good idea but I was very
gallery I said good idea but I was very busy with my work
busy with my work
busy with my work Tenley grabbed the bull by the horns
Tenley grabbed the bull by the horns
Tenley grabbed the bull by the horns and here we have you know what we have
and here we have you know what we have
and here we have you know what we have today a wonderful space and it’s been
today a wonderful space and it’s been
today a wonderful space and it’s been another very successful income stream
another very successful income stream
another very successful income stream we’ve done books with Rizzoli we just
we’ve done books with Rizzoli we just
we’ve done books with Rizzoli we just did a book you know four or five years
did a book you know four or five years
did a book you know four or five years ago it’s on its fourth printing they
ago it’s on its fourth printing they
ago it’s on its fourth printing they called me up two weeks ago said we need
called me up two weeks ago said we need
called me up two weeks ago said we need to do another book that’s it right on
to do another book that’s it right on
to do another book that’s it right on Newport has been home for me for the
Newport has been home for me for the
Newport has been home for me for the last thirty five years and without
last thirty five years and without
last thirty five years and without Newport I wouldn’t have been standing
Newport I wouldn’t have been standing
Newport I wouldn’t have been standing here today I wouldn’t have had a nice
here today I wouldn’t have had a nice
here today I wouldn’t have had a nice success story a happy you know time of
success story a happy you know time of
success story a happy you know time of shooting for myself no blaring teachers
shooting for myself no blaring teachers
shooting for myself no blaring teachers no failed you know maths classes and all
no failed you know maths classes and all
no failed you know maths classes and all that misery that I’d rather forget I’ve
that misery that I’d rather forget I’ve
that misery that I’d rather forget I’ve had support from the local people the
had support from the local people the
had support from the local people the boat builders the magazines and it’s
boat builders the magazines and it’s
boat builders the magazines and it’s just being Newport I love Newport and
just being Newport I love Newport and
just being Newport I love Newport and thank goodness I got my immigration
thank goodness I got my immigration
thank goodness I got my immigration papers when I did because you know
papers when I did because you know
papers when I did because you know people get turned back you know you can
people get turned back you know you can
people get turned back you know you can be here for three four or five years
be here for three four or five years
be here for three four or five years working on boats and you run out of time
working on boats and you run out of time
working on boats and you run out of time they send you back to where you came
they send you back to where you came
they send you back to where you came from I didn’t want to go back my young
from I didn’t want to go back my young
from I didn’t want to go back my young son Adrian who is a senior in high
son Adrian who is a senior in high
son Adrian who is a senior in high school said to me the other night while
school said to me the other night while
school said to me the other night while I was preparing this talk he said to me
I was preparing this talk he said to me
I was preparing this talk he said to me at what moment do you create the art of
at what moment do you create the art of
at what moment do you create the art of photography is the click of standing on
photography is the click of standing on
photography is the click of standing on the chase boat at Key West early in the
the chase boat at Key West early in the
the chase boat at Key West early in the morning is it in the on the screen in my
morning is it in the on the screen in my
morning is it in the on the screen in my computer is it a gallery shot you know
computer is it a gallery shot you know
computer is it a gallery shot you know big canvas hanging there is it looking
big canvas hanging there is it looking
big canvas hanging there is it looking through cruising world and seeing you
through cruising world and seeing you
through cruising world and seeing you know a nice losing photograph the
know a nice losing photograph the
know a nice losing photograph the turtles down in the Turks and Caicos
turtles down in the Turks and Caicos
turtles down in the Turks and Caicos Islands is it a slide show you know all
Islands is it a slide show you know all
Islands is it a slide show you know all of the above where my answer to him I
of the above where my answer to him I
of the above where my answer to him I said yes you’re right all of those is
said yes you’re right all of those is
said yes you’re right all of those is when you create when you click the shot
when you create when you click the shot
when you create when you click the shot or you look on the computer but really
or you look on the computer but really
or you look on the computer but really for me I love being outside love being
for me I love being outside love being
for me I love being outside love being with a camera I’m on deck here at 3 in
with a camera I’m on deck here at 3 in
with a camera I’m on deck here at 3 in the morning in the Arctic in small Bart
the morning in the Arctic in small Bart
the morning in the Arctic in small Bart and it’s dead quiet and I’m taking
and it’s dead quiet and I’m taking
and it’s dead quiet and I’m taking pictures and it’s just magic and I find
pictures and it’s just magic and I find
pictures and it’s just magic and I find that is the moment when you create the
that is the moment when you create the
that is the moment when you create the art of photography and you know it just
art of photography and you know it just
art of photography and you know it just makes me think of that art teacher and I
makes me think of that art teacher and I
makes me think of that art teacher and I feel like I wish she was here I can say
feel like I wish she was here I can say
feel like I wish she was here I can say okay
okay
okay look this is what I’m doing now you were
look this is what I’m doing now you were
look this is what I’m doing now you were wrong thank you
wrong thank you
wrong thank you [Applause]
”
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