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Golondrina - Living the dream



Gareth's journey to St Lucia started in early September 2013 when he slipped lines from Neyland, Pembrokeshire bound for Gran Canaria to take his place on the start line of the annual ARC to St Lucia.  A passion for sailing had long drawn him towards an ocean passage and, as for so many sailors, as part of the ARC – an annual event for the past 28 years.

 

Gareth's passion for sailing started some 40 years ago alongside his long time love of rugby.  Having worked as a surgeon for many years in both Edinburgh, Toronto and California, Gareth found that sailing was a release from the rigors of the hectic lifestyle of the medical world.  Although now retired from main stream surgery, Gareth managed to combine his skills and passion for many years as the surgeon for Llanelli Scarlett's rugby team.

 

Having owned a number of yachts over the years, he found Golondrina, an Arcona 400 at Tony Bottomley’s Arcona Yachts UK in the  Hamble. Gareth was immediately taken by her elegant lines and track record as a sturdy, well proven ocean going vessel.  Always with the ARC in mind Gareth, brought her to Neyland where over several years she has been fitted out in preparation to complete the task in hand.   Golondrina is Spanish for ‘Swallow’ and so taken with the her name he kept it.

 

His drive and commitment for the voyage was accelerated following the sad passing of his beloved wife, and mother of Owain.  Lucy. She had a passion for life which stayed with her to the very end, following a long and courageous battle against cancer.  Gareth has no doubt that she would have been standing alongside him today enjoying the sunrises and it is with Lucy in mind and her sense for adventure that he and Owian head for the Caribbean.    

 

Throughout the journey there have been countless high points which no doubt he will relay over numerous pints of beer when returning to his country of birth. Just as a taster who could compete with, and all in the past few months, arriving at Lanzarote at dawn, Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Cape Verde at 3 am, catching and eating fresh Dorados. Not forgetting pilot whales, flying fish, sharks and dolphins running alongside the hull. And the adventure continues.

 

So as the day draws to an end, Gareth finds himself just forward of the mast watching, as does everyone else,  Golondrina taking us closer to our place in the sun.  Gareth is indebted  to the support of his friends and especially the love of his family Aled, Dewi, Elin, Owain and his nine beloved grandchildren. 

 

As for the crew...  He raises a glass of Isle of Jura..

 


Skipper at the helm

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