"Too many people see their cruising dreams derailed because of their fear of
storms.We wanted to product a program that encouraged people by giving them a
plan of action-one that showed storm sails working and a small boat coming through
some major blows without drama or damage. Even more important, I wanted to show
how the sailor's safety valve--heaving-to-works, and the slick it creates. It's
hard for people to imagine the almost magic effect of a slick as it saps the power
of breaking waves," Larry says. "Now I have video to show it."
When Lin and Larry began editing the final program in New Zealand, their work
caught the eye of television director and editor Chris Gurr, who added his artistic
talent to the project. Working with team New zealand, Grant Dalton and the late
Sir Peter Blake, Chris has created several award-winning sailing programs that
have aired in eleven countries.
Additional footage for this 90-minute program has been provided by Australia's
WinzTV. Their dramatic images include aerial and off-the-boat views of small boats
sailing in 70-know winds (Force 12) in the Bass Straits, north of Tasmania. "It
is important to encourage sailors to take a 'can-do' attitude when they encounter
storm-force winds," says cameraman Peter Harmsen, who was in the helicopter during
the infamous 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race. "These pictures do just that."
Figuring that many sailors will want to carry Storm Tactics on board and view
it on their laptop computers, the Pardeys have produced the program in both VHS
and DVD formats. "This program is designed to illustrate and expand on our Storm
Tactics Handbook," adds Lin. "We tried to add information and ideas we picked
up from the folks we met at the bottom of the world."
Besides actual storm tactics, the program includes information on securing
gear, checking rigging, and gaining confidence before setting sail. The para-anchor
setup is shown in detail for Taleisin as well as for modern boats, such as Beth
Leonard and Evans Starzinger's water-ballasted 47-fotter, Hawk.
Lin and Larry Pardey have now voyaged more than 170,000 miles, including both
east-about and west-about circumnavigations. They have made passages on 20 different
boats, ranging in size from their own 24' 4" and 29' 6" self-built cutters through
modern racing boats to 85-foot classic schooners. As Herb McCormick, editor of
Cruising Word puts it, "The Pardeys have received more awards for their pursuits
than Tom Hanks has for his."
Editor and author Roger Taylor wrote that their Storm Tactics Handbook "could
save lives and dreams." Reviewers are now making similar statements about the
graphic demonstrations of gear, tactics, and advice presented in the Storm Tactics
video.
Available at nautical bookstores and chandleries or online from www.paracay.com,
the DVD and the video contain exactly the same information; each version costs
US $29.95. In the United Kingdom, they are available for £19.95 from Kelvin Hughes
(www.bookharbour.com), Reed's Nautical (www.reedsnautical.com), and Biograph Video
(Phone: 01626-201888, email:biograph@eurobell.co.uk). The video is available in
both NTSC and PAL formats and runs 84 minutes.
Preview video clips are available by clicking HERE.
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