No Opportunity Wasted: Episode 1
Diving and Sailing With the Sharks
Recap By Alisa aka CaliGirl
October 4, 2004
Meet Jaymz Dilworth -
Mad-As-A Hatter Boat Builder and Sailor
As terrified as Shane is of diving into shark infested waters, that's how fearless and gutsy 29 year old Internet programmer Jaymz is. In fact, his friends are not above calling him "insane in the membrane." He arrived in California from England 10 years ago and has settled in that city where you leave your heart.
His dream is to build a boat and sail it to the Farralon Islands which means Islands of the Dead (YIKES!) off the coast of San Francisco. Not only are there Great White sharks in the cold Pacific, but the conditions are normally rough and stormy. Bear in mind that Jaymz (what's with that spelling?) has only taken one boat building course, but that will not deter him in any way.
Phil is waiting at a cable car stop and as Jaymz alights, he is told that his schedule has been cleared and he has 72 short hours to make his obsession a reality. Oh yeah, that and a Mastercard with a $3,000 limit on it. Phil waxes poetic and says that "imagination is your currency" as he explains that the N.O.W. flag will be handed from dreamer to dreamer. I'm really touched by this. Not only do I get to see much more of Phil than ever before, but I'm going along on terrific adventures while I examine myself and what dreams lurk within me.
There is no time to waste as materials are being purchased and friends recruited to design and build this trimaran-style boat the one chosen out of the three designs that were produced. It's a basic "raft" with stabilizers. They will be working all night in the construction space that Jaymz has found on the waterfront. After expenditures, only $7.00 remains. Talk about cutting it close.
In order to save money, they have to build the hull out of plywood lashed together with wire. The holes and seams will be sealed with epoxy and resin. The sails are being sewn from tarpaulin by a grumbling seamstress/friend who grouses that she doesn't "give a rat's ass" about the show, she just wants Jaymz and his crew to survive. The boat's name is "Blaze of Glory." Very dashing. The paint doesn't even have time to completely dry.
Trouble arises in another form. The weather forecast sounds perilous. The waters are normally rough, but the U.S. Coast Guard forecasts a small craft advisory warning because they anticipate gale force gusts up to 40 knots or more, enough to capsize a small boat. However, everyone on the crew is determined and a lot of joking ensues about losing your life which illustrates one of two things: These guys are either intrepid and brave, or just plain crazy.
The discussion gets more serious as the weather becomes more threatening. "Time and tide waits for no man" as someone once said and the crew is deliberating the wisdom of going out into the turbulent sea, and where to draw the line. Jaymz says "Let's give it a shot. If we pull it off, it will be a miracle."
Despite bad conditions, Jaymz and his crew take off and the going is fine the first two miles until they reach open water. The water turns very rough. The first 30 minutes of the sail the boat is holding up quite well, but after 10 more minutes its joints are creaking more than an octogenarian's and is taking on water. They are now four miles away from land and the situation has gone from merely dangerous to "suicidal." It would be extremely unwise to continue. That decision having been made, Jaymz vows that "We'll live to fight this one another day." He believes that a person can achieve so much if one sets their mind on it.
And? What Happened in the Aftermath?
Shane not only conquered his fear of sharks, but has also taken other courageous steps in his life. He changed jobs and left the one that he hated behind. He does regret airing his feelings about his job on TV. The whole experience is now "surreal" to him, but it has taught him that if he can survive a shark feeding frenzy he can do almost anything.
Jaymz gifted the boat to a crew member but all can use it. We are not sure if he ever tried to complete his trip to the Farralons but he really didn't need to. He had lived life to the fullest during those 72 hours. He is still astounded at how much he and his team accomplished in such a short period of time.
When last heard from, he was on his way to Peru because he had never been to South America and it beckoned to him, but this time he had two weeks not 72 hours.
The Show Itself - Watch It!
This is a wonderful series with surprising adventures each week on the Discovery Channel. You can view it with your family or by yourself and not only gain extreme enjoyment but learn something about human nature along the way. As human beings, we are capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for. Dare to dream, and do everything in your power to make it happen.
Alisa aka CaliGirl loves the Ocean, granola and winemaking. When not busy with that, writing is her biggest thrill, well almost. She can be reached at california_girl100@yahoo.com
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