Steve Callahan speaking at the Blue Wild Expo

[diana]

Greetings,
Steve Callahan, sailor best-selling author of Adrift, will be speaking at the Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Seminar & Expo Feb 6-8, 2009. For those who are unfamiliar, his boat sank early into a trans-Atlantic race. Adrift is his account of how he survived 76 days in a life raft. It's a great read for both sailors and land-lubbers. I won't tell you how it ends.

The Blue Wild Expo will be in Dania Beach, FL at the International Game Fish Assoc. Museum Feb. 6, 7, & 8th (a week before the Miami Boat Show). For more info about this Expo, other speakers, and how to register, please see The Blue Wild Spearfishing Seminar and Expo. Registration includes t-shirt, lunch (both days), and entry to guest speakers, exhibitors, raffles, auctions, and FUN! At a minimum, come to the Friday night kick-off party (NO ENTRY FEE!) -- Steve will be signing and selling his book there. Be sure to check out the fantastic raffle items. Proceeds from the Expo benefit the Boca Raton Society for the Disabled.

Also, I am new to this forum and love it (to the point of being bleary-eyed at 2AM)! I didn't want fellow-sailors to miss the chance of hearing and meeting Steve, so I thought I'd post this (with moderator's permission). So, if you attend, please by sure to stop by and introduce yourself to me (I'm one of the hostesses for the event, picture is at bottom of expo web site). Hope to see you there!

-diana

[Tellie]

I'd love to see and hear Steve Callahan. But $85 is a bit steep since I'm not interested in the rest. Any chance there's another fee if you just want to come to hear Steve and not partake of the rest of the weekend?

[maxingout]

I met Steve Callahan on his trimaran at our marina in Mooloolaba, Australia when Exit Only was in OZ. He has just completed restoration of a cruising trimaran and was selling it. He's a great guy and has a lot to say worth hearing. If I was in Dania, I would take the time to hear his talk.

I used to have Exit Only in Dania, Florida. It's a small world.

[diana]

Unfortunately not, because once you pay to get in, you're free to roam & choose which lecture, workshop, etc. to attend. It's not set up to be separately paid-for events. But come to the Friday night kick-off party! It's FREE to attend (you can purchase food and drinks). We'll have Steve set up at a table to sign books and chat.

[scotte]

"Adrift" is a great book, I strongly recommend it - a great read, and well written. It really does a great job of describing what he went through in 76 days at sea. It'll really make you think!

[maxingout]

It's interesting that after surviving in a life raft, he eventually purchased a trimaran that he sailed down under in Australia.

I wonder if the "unsinkable" characteristics of a multihull attracted him after going through a life raft experience?

[diana]

interesting question...i'll ask him & let you know!

[diana]

maxingout, steve said his sinking didn't have anything to do with sailing a multi. he said he was sailing multihulls in the 60's (when is wasn't fashionable). his jaw dropped when i asked him about his trimaran in Mooloolaba, Australia. i told him i was a stalker ;o)
thanks for the heads up on that! anyway, i'd post a picture of us, but it's in his camara p , and he was off to st. croix, etc. for a month.

he and his wife cathy are the nicest people and have the best sense of humor. i can't say enough about them. the expo was such a success that our free lunch buffet ran out of food. steve and cathy had already ate, but they overheard me saying that one of our staff had to order pizzas to feed those that haven't eaten yet. steve said he felt guilty because he had eaten lunch. i looked at him, and said "steve-- of all people here, you should NOT feel guilty for eating lunch!" he thought about it for a second and said "OK. I'm over it." i was rolling on the floor.

his lecture was inspiring. he has such perspective. i think that's what draws people to him. if anyone has not read his book, Adrift, i would encourage you to do so. if you have read it, it makes a great gift for anyone that loves a page-turner!