More Gratuitous Self Promotion
The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is only a fortnight away, and the full program is now available on their website.
Those who read SWS regularly, will know of my interest (some would say obsession) with the dhows of East Africa. These beautiful, historic, functional and excentric craft, seem to exemplify so many of the values that have been lost to rich world sailing over the last 50 years.
So I was flattered when the power couple behind the festival, Michelle Khan and Tony Stevenson asked me to present a talk at the New Zealand Maritime Museum during the event.
Now I’m not a shipwright and I’m certainly not an an academic, so my knowledge of dhows is anecdotal, coming only from talking with the craftsmen and sailors (in broken Swahili/English) and spending a few days, joyously racing on the lateen rigged flying machines.
So if you are in Auckland on 14th March come along to the museum, just a short walk from the boats, and hear whats so special about the East African Dhow and learn why their legacy is so important!
And here’s a selection of Images to whet your appetite! (Click to Enlarge)
