sail-world.com -- Can you beat this? Sailor visits 74 islands in seven days
Can you beat this? Sailor visits 74 islands in seven days
Fri, 11 Jan 2013
Cruising sailors get up to some pretty strange tricks, but can you beat this? Or do you know someone who can? One Australian sailor has clocked up setting foot on 74 islands in and around Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, and he's done it in the record time of seven days, one hour and four minutes.
He's hoping that the record, which he performed in his 34ft sloop Safe Sailing, will now be recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.
Currently working in the Whitsundays with Whitsunday Law, Mr Bird was already a keen sailor before his record goal came to mind.
'A week and a half before my 2012 Christmas holidays I thought up an idea to visit as many Whitsunday islands as I could as a sort of challenge over the holidays. The next weekend I performed maintenance on my yacht and drafted up a sailing plan,' he told the Whitsunday Times.
'It's every sailors dream to sail the Whitsundays and I'm now in the process of getting my record recognised by Guinness World Records.'
Joined on his week long journey by American couple Luke and Aline Shaner, the three 'set foot on' 74 different islands, starting on December 22 with a landing on Arhurst Island and finishing a week later on December 29 at Pigeon Island just off Cannonvale.
Mr Bird said that they made the most of some fortunate weather conditions and even landed at night in full moonlight on some islands.
'Originally I wanted to land on 85 islands but difficult landing conditions and wildlife restrictions kept me from visiting a few,' he said.
Mr Bird and his crew have all made statutory declarations for the purposes of the Guinness World Record application and he hopes to hear back in the coming months.
'I took videos and photos of my navigation system to prove I had set foot on all the islands and I'm relying on that evidence to hopefully secure the record.'
So, can anyone out there beat that? We'd like to hear from you.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2013
Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week is the premier sailing event of the year for Whitsunday Sailing Club. August 9th-16th 2013. [More info]
http://www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Hamilton Island Luxury Accommodation
Full range of private apartments, villas and houses on Hamilton Island. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 bedroom options available. All include buggy and island airport or marina transfers. [More info]
http://www.whitsundayholidays.com.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Sydney International Boat Show
The 40th Sydney International Boat Show
will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre & Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, Sydney Australia
[More info]
http://www.sydneyboatshow.com.au
Ullman Sails Australia
The Ullman Sails Australia team provides service to customers all over Australia with four main locations in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and the Whitsundays. [More info]
http://www.ullmansails.com
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au