Volvo Ocean Race - How eight on Team SCA became Shellbacks

by Corinna Halloran on 26 Oct 2014 Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, Day 14 onboard Team SCA.

I’m discovering there are two types of days offshore: the days where not much happens, and the days where so much happens it’s hard to believe that’s just one day! Yesterday was one of those days and I’m unsure where to begin!

Perhaps I’ll start with what everyone is eager to read about: the weather. Ha ha. Just kidding, I know all of you want to hear about King Neptune and how eight of us on Team SCA became Shellbacks.

Despite the romance around the event, there was nothing romantic about it—quite the opposite really. However, it was still incredibly symbolic. Not only did it serve as an initiation but it also served as a ‘welcome home’ marker for some of the sailors on board. 'We’re back in the Southern Hemisphere! The right Hemisphere!!' Stacey shouted. 'Looks better, sounds better, and smell that? Ahh that’s the smell of serenity.'

So at high noon, shortly after counting down the nautical miles and crossing over the Equator, King Neptune came out in all of her beauty and glory followed by a trust worthy Assistant (dutifully named King Neptune’s Assistant). King Neptune’s Assistant was in charge of manning the ‘fish stew’ Neptune had been brewing the last few days. It included decaying flying fish guts, all the leftovers from the last five days, plus some powdered milk, and a few electrolyte tablets for good measure.

By the time King Neptune made her appearance we were all giddy with anticipation—ticking such a big moment off the proverbial 'bucket list' by sailing across the Equator put everyone all on good form. 'I’ve read a lot about it, seen the photos, watched the footage, and so it’s cool to think that now it’s happening to us,' Carolijn said.



There were eight Pollywogs and four Shellbacks; three of the Pollywogs (the newbies) had been 'extra naughty for integrating or complaining that there’s no soap, and therefore tortured a little harder than the rest,' King Neptune said.

First we had fish stew facials—although Team SCA may be doing them, trust us: they do not take years off your face, quite the opposite really. 'I’m just happy we didn’t have to ingest it,' Sara said.

Then, the three extra naughty Pollywogs were told to grab a friend and were tasked with performances of humiliation. Stacey (who dragged along Sally) was told to do five burpees (yes, as we raced along at 17kts!), Sara and Libby had to do a panty liner commercial, Carolijn and I sang our dock our team song in 'gospel,’ and Justine and Annie (neither of whom had been extra bad) had to act like our coaches.

Then, having smeared our faces with stew and humiliated ourselves on 'stage,' King Neptune congratulated us and headed back into the sea. All in all, it was an incredible experience—the best way to be welcomed into 'God’s country,' as Stacey described the Southern Hemisphere.

In other news we have rocket shipped around our 'half way' mark: Fernando de Noronha (aka the Rock). The island serves as the point of which we start heading back East as we head south to hook off a low front the South Atlantic High pressure. After Fernando de Noronha, the instructions from our dutiful navigator are to 'send it.' In other words: full throttle, no holding back, just go go Team SCA website