Calgary man trains for ‘absolutely incredible’ around-the-world sailing race – Calgary | 24CA News
This summer season brings the beginning of a really life-changing expertise for a Calgary man.
Mark Hagan is leaving his land-locked life behind for an arduous journey on the excessive seas.
Hagan is now coaching to be a crew member on the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.
It’s a giant step into the unknown. As Hagan says: “I’ve never sailed in my life.”
But Hagan’s now placing his longtime profession within the oil and gasoline trade behind, as he plans to depart for the U.Ok. on the finish of July for his ultimate spherical of crusing coaching.
The race begins from Portsmouth, England on Sept. 3.
Hagan has already sailed out of Portsmouth on earlier coaching periods this yr, getting a style of the tough seas forward.
“Sixty, 70-foot waves, as tall as the boat,” Hagan stated. “For half of the race, we’re on a 45-degree angle.”
Race contributors will encounter a variety of untamed climate in the course of the 10-11 months it’s anticipated to take to finish their 40,000-nautical-mile journey.
It’s an journey Hagan determined to undertake after reaching his aim of touring to all seven continents.
“Swimming with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef,” Hagan stated. “I’ve been on a safari in South Africa.”
The around-the-world race includes numerous bodily work.
“All the sails we have to move by hand,” Hagan stated, ”lifting round 600 kilos for a few of the greater sails.”
Hagan’s been making ready for that with common health periods along with his private coach Kai Peters.
“Mark’s been working harder than anybody,” Peters stated.
Hagan is paying about $90,000 to take part within the crusing race, which raises cash for UNICEF, the United Nations company that helps youngsters world wide.
“Some of these kids are just struggling to survive, so anything I can do to help out,” Hagan stated.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey others may want they might expertise.
“Just the freedom, to be able to pack up and go sail around the world, is absolutely incredible,” Peters stated.
Hagan says he hopes his journey will encourage others to comply with their desires.
“If I can do this, anyone can do it,” Hagan stated. “Try anything outside your comfort zone — life is here to be lived.”
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