3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 12, 2009 BUY LOCALLY SERVICE LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY Phone: (905) 825-8088 SUBMITTED PHOTO www.volvoofoakville.com SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS LIFEBOAT: The Falcon GT -- a 46-foot, single-masted, ocean-going sailboat -- was home and everything else for its crew during a sailing voyage from Oakville to Australia. Spectacular journey By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Dodging overly-friendly whales, overcoming sea sickness and enduring massive storms were just a few of the perils experienced by the crew of the Falcon GT during a previously unfathomable sailing voyage from Oakville to Melbourne, Australia. The immense journey, which stretched from Oct. 14 to March 6, was the subject of a great celebration at the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club last Friday, where the crew of the Falcon captivated an audience of around 100 people with tales and videos of the adventure. "At the end of the day we feel it certainly satisfied our goals of knowing what long distance voyaging is about," said John Gayford, Oakville resident and captain of the Falcon. "We concluded that we overdid it." The voyage to Melbourne was nearly six years in the making with Gayford using his Sign up on Line background as a mechanical engineer to actually build much of the Falcon himself. Completed in June 2007, the construction of the 46-foot, single-masted, ocean-going sailboat marked the continuation of a passion that had been with Gayford since childhood. "Sailing has always been something I've been interested in since I about 18...actually since I was about 10," he said. "The first time I was on a sailboat we went 600 miles. That really whetted my appetite and allowed me to discover what I wanted to do." With the Falcon GT complete, more than a year of preparing and gathering the proper provisions and equipment followed before Gayford began the long voyage to Melbourne accompanied by his brother Doug and friends Brendan Shadford, Stuart Hamilton and Douglas Sandrin. After leaving Bronte Harbour, the Falcon travelled east through a series of canals and locks until it reached the Hudson River. From there, the Falcon docked at a Manhattan marina where it took on additional provisions and supplies before entering the open ocean on Oct. 31. Gayford and his crew would not set foot on land again until they made a supply run in Cape Town, South Africa, 69 days later. With so much time spent in the middle of the unforgiving ocean taking the proper precautions was essential, Gayford noted. "The primary thing is to make sure safety is taken care of and that means the boat's got to be safely built, the mast won't fall down and the systems on board, the steering systems, the water system are all working okay," said Gayford. "You have to make sure your lifesaving equipment is all there. Your emergency beacon is on board, your life raft, your high frequency radio, your ditch bags. You also have to make sure you have the appropriate clothing, along with lifejackets and floater suits. You HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply * $ From 295 Up to 3 Year Service Warranty 60 DAY GUARANTEE: If after 60 days we have not provided you with the best hearing possible, we will give you your money back... We are an authorized clinic for DVA, WSIB, and Green Shield clients Call 905-827-7333 For a FREE Hearing Test. Age 18+ Hopedale Hearing Clinic In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville · 905-827-7333 See Only page 12 w www. ultimatedrivers .ca DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, LET US HELP YOUR EARN IT Six Programs to choose from: 17 Years ent of Excell Service · D f Defensive D i i i Driving C ifi Certificate P Program - MTO Approved Minimizes Road Test Time and Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount · Advance Defensive Driving Program Minimizes Road Test Time, Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount and Teaches You Emergency Skills · Driver Retraining Program for Reinstating Driver's License · Complete Refresher Program Prepares you for G2 or G License · Refresher Program Helps Reviewing your Driving Habits for Test s r r · Preparation and Evaluation Warm Up Practice Before the Test TM Two 4-day * y Condensed Programs $ June 27-30 Valid on Defensive July 13-16 Driving Program Only 407 Speers Road Suite 205 Gift Certificates Available 905-825-1172 SAVE 50.00