"There's nothing like being out on the ocean with the sky changes and the weather," Boater Tomasz Wietecha said of the Clipper Races.
Like any grand adventure, this one comes with highs and lows.
"It's a tremendous test of physical strength, emotional strength," Wietecha explained "you encounter every weather situation from the mild and boring to the extreme and frightening.”
Tomasz sailed more than six thousand miles over the course of 34 days on the “Visit Seattle” yacht.
"Being separated from my family was probably the hardest part,” he shared.
While boaters Andy Farnum and Liz Rose are just about to get started.
"It's really hard waiting,” Liz said of her upcoming journey.
Believe it or not- these aren’t all experienced sailors. Crew members learn the ropes through a month-long training program.
"We cover everything from engineering, life aboard the yacht is the big part of the training. We have to learn how to take care of one another, medically, feed a crew, and also sailing and racing at this level requires a lot of technical expertise," Andy explained.
But of most, there’s a bigger lesson to be learned.
"Our lives are very busy usually. and suddenly you will just leave everything behind and when you come back everything looks a little different,” Liz acknowledged.
"The comforts of life, being able to take a shower and sleep in a warm, dry bed. It's something you appreciate a little extra after being on the ocean," Andy added.
It’s a remarkable experience, with the power to change lives.
