But the glorious reward for “Mothering” was HPC!) Polo was introduced to Hawaii in 1886
twelve hours of delicious uninterrupted sleep, but faded during the Second World War. It was
unless of course your particular twelve hours eventually revived in 1950, with the Hawaii
were interrupted with a call for “all hands on Polo Club setting up permanent home in 1964.
deck”! In those days of my fi rst ocean crossing, While we in Ham have the rolling greenery
the blueprint of the following months was surrounding us and the gentle riverbanks of the
laid out. I experienced soaring highs of the meandering River Thames, the Hawaii Polo Club
enjoyment of incredible clear sailing weather has pounding blue surf on white sandy beaches
with invigorating winds, blue skies, and fabulous to contrast with their fi elds. Stick and balling
waves to surf the boat down. This contrasted is a totally different experience! This is where
with the lows of terrible storms in which two “Polo meets the Pacifi c”! It crossed my mind that
of the yachts in the fl eet were dis-masted identical initials of our two clubs could lead to
after being struck by lightning, and appalling meeting kindred spirits in enthusiasm for both
conditions in which to try and change sails and the game and social fun of club involvement.
keep up the momentum of the competitive Sadly my Hawaiian sojourn was all too short to
aspect of the race. investigate such matters and the next leg of the
race loomed.
I was lucky enough to be part of the entire
FASCINATING,
second half of this amazing yacht race spending
six months away from home and able to call
MYSTERIOUS,
myself a “demi- worlder” at the end of it. From
CHALLENGING
Hawaii we sailed to California, down to Panama,
through the Panama Canal to Jamaica, on up
AND
to New York where we berthed in the centre of
INFURIATING!
Manhattan, on up to Halifax in Nova Scotia.
Then another major crossing of the Atlantic
Ocean where our route took us close to icebergs
To get an idea of how it felt, simply hang onto a and across the notorious “Grand Banks”, scene
lamp post with one hand letting yourself almost of the fabled “Perfect Storm” made famous by
fall to the ground, have a huge fan placed in both a book and fi lm. We made land in Cork ,
front so that you experience the effects of Ireland where the Royal Cork Yacht Club gave
a wind tunnel, while stage right someone is us a welcome to remember! In fact the RCYC
endlessly throwing huge buckets of (salty) water could be another ideal contender along with the
over you. Simply add a soundtrack of screaming Hawaii Polo Club to be “twinned” with the HPC!
banshees and endless shouted curses from your
fellow crew members, mix in a healthy respect After a last sprint from Cork to Liverpool we
for the all too obvious raging forces of Mother fi nally fi nished our race in the historic location
Nature, involving huge seas, crashing thunder, of Albert Dock. It had been the journey and
and the smell of burning ozone as yet another experience of a lifetime. I met wonderful people
fork of lightning pierces the heaving briny right and made friends both in passing and for life.
f
i
f
beside you, and there you are….instant ocean
t
y
going experience simulator! I learned about bravery, team support, and
-
o
challenging oneself to the limit. That was my
n
e
As you can imagine, our eventual arrival in experience, but I now realise we can witness
Hawaii was an extraordinarily emotional (and those self same elements right here in HPC
welcome) experience, where we enjoyed two every week, when we watch the skill and
weeks of fabulous R & R. Amazingly the one tactics played out during the exciting matches
hidden gem that I defi nitely did not expect fought out on the turf. Indeed, can I hear the
to fi nd was the Hawaii Polo Club located at echo of the waves in the roar of polo ponies
Dillingham Ranch, Mokuleia Beach, on the hooves thundering down the fi eld? I would
North Shore of the island of Oahu (another like to think so!
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