After the stroke and finally back to my home I was hit by the seriousness of my limitations. While in Hospital we are in a controled space, designed to protect us and recover our mobility, we live in a bubble, everyting is safe, easy, there is always someone near to help. Outside in the real world it’s the opposite of this, The sidewalk is irregular, the people are impatient, the environment is harsh, we feel so fatigued at the end of the day that we just want to sleep. I started by creating a confortable routine. Therapy in the mornings, work in the afternoons, I was back to my comfort zone, it feels safe, but this routine also felt it was holding me back. Yes I arrived home exhausted after my day routine. But I can do more, I must do more. I want more! I was told to see everything as a therapy, as a tool to recover. I was always amazed at how ancient explorers used the winds and directed themselves through unknown oceans. I was already a certified coastal skipper and I had my old sailboat was moored in Sines Marina since my first solo passage from Lisbon in 2018, so i decided to sign up to a Yacht Master Off shore course or like we say it on Portugal”Patrão de Alto Mar”

I started by looking for a Sailing school. I quickly realised I had two options. to get a Portuguese certification or one from Royal Yachting Association, Original from UK but widely known internationally.

I have to admit that my my proud maritime heritage as Portuguese, overcome logic. Yes RYA certification is widely recognized internationally but what the hell, while English sailors where “heading south until the butter melts and then turned 'right'. Portuguese sailors already discover the Atlantic predominant winds and the way to Brazil.

Thanks to the Islamic influence in Portugal and Spain, Iberian Sailors learn to use most of the advanced Islamic astronomy knowledge to guide themselfs on Ocean crossings

So i decided to visit Treino de Mar a renowned sailing school in Lisbon. I tought it was wised to check with them before if my phisical limitations could be a problem to complete the yachtmaster offshore course,”Patrão de Alto mar” in portuguese. After talk with the instructor we bouth decided to give it a try, the worse thing it could happen was to not be aproved in the final exam, but even if that happens I ended up with more knowledge about navigation.

For me personally the challenge was bigger than only astronomical navigation. I workout every day with intense physiotherapy that help my muscles, but my brain is not used to make complex mathematical calculations and is much slower than it was. To help, my degree in art history will not be very useful to calculate trignometry.

however the first challenger was much more simple, the course was from 7 to 11pm and at that time, after a full day of work and physiotherapy I must be focused and awake.

It was hard I have to admit, but I had an excellent group of classmates, always patient and ready to help me, a great teacher and and a tremendous willingness to learn and undersand how my fellow countryman explored uncharted seas, discovering islands and circumventing dreaded cables. I have to leave a special word to one of them that toke his time for our extra study sessions that were crucial to be successful in the final exam. Thank you Francisco.

Let the Journey Begin

Stop it’s not an option

Finally Afloat