Grandaddy . . .

[TaoJones]

From the latest 'Lectronic Latitude, comes word of special recognition given Harry Heckel by the Slocum Society.

Slocum Society Honors Harry

July 2 - Newport News, VA

World cruisers tend to meet a lot of interesting characters 'out there', but one who stands out in the minds of many is singlehander Harry Heckel. Not only is he a warm and friendly fellow with a rosy attitude toward life, but he completed two solo circumnavigations aboard his Dreadnaught 32 Idle Queen - crossing his tracks the second time at age 87.




Harry traces his route prior to completing his second lap.
Photo Latitude / Andy
© 2007 Latitude 38 Publishing, Inc.

Although Harry thus became the oldest person ever to complete a solo lap around the planet, the Guinness Book of World Records opted not to enter his feat, reasoning that they did not want to encourage such behavior! The folks at the Joshua Slocum Society, however, take a different stance. They honored Harry, now 91, in a special ceremony last week, where Harry was presented with the prestigious Golden Circle Award.




Ted and June Jones of the Slocum Society present Harry with the Golden Circle Award at a surprise ceremony in his honor.
© 2007 Carl Heckel

"There are few (if any) in my opinion, who are more deserving," said circumnavigator Kirk McGeorge, now of the St. Thomas, USVI-based Gallivanter, who flew up from the islands with his wife Cathy to attend. "The last time Cath and I saw Harry was when he handed me our last dock line in Borneo, seven years ago." Past contributors to Latitude 38, the McGeorges presented an additional award from the magazine proclaiming Harry the "Grandaddy of Circumnavigators."

Sailor Bryan O'Neill sent comments from Australia: "You remain constant in my mind as a true adventurer who has achieved so much to the admiration of so many . . . You amaze me and I am enormously proud of you, and often talk of you as an example of someone achieving the seemingly impossible."

Although Harry's bluewater sailing career has been shelved, he still plans to sail occasionally in East Coast waters with family members and friends.

- latitude / at

TaoJones

[Rangiroo]

ok THAT is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...I can only hope and pray I am still that spry at that age...what a grand achievement!!!!!

[SkiprJohn]

Let's hope we'll all remember his feat even though Guinness chose not to recognize him. I also note that his boat was a 32. Good man!!
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Lancerbye]

Now that's what I call an inspiration. He must have a ship load of memories.

[delmarrey]

Life aboard boats could possibly be better for human health.

I know when I have to go to work every day of every week of every............ I start feeling sick and unhealth. But after returning from a week or two cruise up the coast I came back feeling like I want to do it again and actually not return at all.

I usually shed some of the unwanted weight and my allergies totally quit. I even eat better meals rather than eat & run situations.

May this guy inspire us to do what could possibly be the best thing we ever did, live a life crusing the oceans......................._/)

[Ex-Calif]

What they don't mention is that both times he actually wandered away from the retirement home and couldn't remember where he lived so...

"The first thing to go is your memory. I can't remember what the second thing is..."

(Sorry couldn't resist - Awesome actually)