About me
As a child of Odin, a humble servant of Neptune, and a sometime courtier of my Lord Bacchus I respectfully share my sailing insights.
A passion for sailing does not necessarily need to be a part of your DNA; you can develop it. In fact, I have met some sailors who have a natural ability even though they came to sailing much later in life, and were raised in areas quite remote from the sea. I am fortunate, however, in that I do have some genetic link via my Great-grandfather who was a Prussian seaman, my Grandfather who was a “man o’war’s man” in the incipient 20th century, and also via my father and his maternal family who were also sailors and boat builders.
An Individual’s attraction to the sea may take many forms; some people like to swim, some to dive and many to surf. Some are fishermen, and others, like me – sail.
I am an avid defender of the Old Ways, and who knows but perhaps there may be a touch of the Old Norse in my blood.
It matters not how it may have occurred; sailing is in my blood and in my soul.
Navigating the oceans of our life is a daunting task for us all particularly as we generally have limited and out of date charts to assist us, and all that we can rely upon is the advice and experience of older sailing masters … those whom have already passed through these waters. I often muse that it really is a bloody miracle that so many of us actually survive.
Notwithstanding that, I have discovered that I am fortunate to possess a relatively unique set of skills, developed through many different occupations and situations, which now enable me to assist people in learning how to sail… but more than that, I believe I am introducing them to a whole new concept of life skills … which hopefully will enable them to fulfil their life’s goals … even if they’re lousy sailors.
So … who am I?
As the author of Sailinsight it is fitting that you should know a little more about me, Stephen Crockett. I have, from time to time, been the recipient of many and various appellations (many of which are unprintable), however to most people I’m known as Steve.
I was born in New Zealand (Auckland in fact …hence the propensity for sailing).
I have, together with many of my generation, worked in a wide variety of roles throughout my life, and it seems as if every position I have held has been specifically designed to provide me with the comprehensive toolbox I now use in my current occupation.
My first Commercial Maritime Qualifications were completed in Queensland, Australia where I worked on a Cruise boat on the Gold Coast for a while. As I achieved further qualifications I moved to Brisbane … began teaching sailing as a volunteer at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron … skippered some sailing charters … achieved further RYA qualifications and became employed as a sailing instructor with Southern Cross School of Yachting and after almost 5 years became Chief Instructor there.
Oh … yes … and it was in Brisbane that I met my wife.
After 7 years of Instructing in Brisbane it was time to make a move again. In late 2013 we relocated to Auckland, New Zealand. Initially I took up a post at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, followed by a few years as Training Manager at Coastguard Boating Education. And now, I am employed as a Maritime Lecturer with the NZ Maritime School at their Warkworth and City Campuses.
Quite a tapestry, my life. No matter where I am, or with what I may be occupied, I believe that the skein of our life is already woven and that the best we can do is to allow the Norns to embroider that cloth with golden threads.
I once heard that, at the moment of one’s death, one’s life passes before one’s eyes.
It is my life’s work to make it worth watching!