Why?

"Sockeye, I really want to do the Race to Alaska."  

For me, those are wonderful words, energizing and activating words. Last summer, I heard them from Tara Watkins and Olivia Lord.  

Since the beer garden meeting where Jake Beattie came up with the idea in 2013, since good friends crossed the crowded starting line of the first race in 2015, I live in a constant state of wanting to participate in the Race to Alaska.  When Ernie Baird asked me to join him and Martin Musson on Team Grace B for 2017, I felt honored.  From that moment onward I wanted to pay that feeling and experience forward.  With enthusiasm Tara, Olivia, and I plan and progress, already sharing this experience, just as Ernie enabled a wonderful experience for Martin and myself.  ‌ 

While Jake hoped 10 of his adventurous friends would sign up for The Race in 2015, 40 teams registered.  Jake and Daniel have created an expanding supportive community, a village of voyagers.

I underestimated the breadth and depth of emotions delivered by The Race (as it was called in B.C. during 2017) and the return passage in company with wonderful shipmates, through unplanned crossings and meals with gracious fellow racers, and encounters with supporters ashore and underway.  Many have become friends.  All welcome connection across teams, across years of The Race, a fellowship of shared experience, as if we were all aboard the same vessel.  Perhaps we recognize that we are all sailing together. 

Sockeye
(John Calogero)
29 January 2022