If Santa had read my letter I guess I would be penning this piece mid-ocean so guess he just couldn’t read my handwriting!
Being asked what my top three wishes are for 2019 came very easily:
- Improved access to the water for everyone. Whether it’s in an ocean racing yacht, a dingy, a paddle board, a pair of togs. There is evidence of progress in this area and it is an agenda close to my own heart. We in Viking Marine will be working hard to support, promote, sponsor and enable with all key stakeholders (Clubs, Groups, Associations, training bodies, Schools etc) to get more people on the water year on year.
- Get our act together and not just clean but Save our Oceans. I look at ‘Flossie and the beach cleaners’ and take pride that our young sailors and ocean lovers have forced us all into action. The days of talking and posturing are over and it's now time to act. We will be promoting, sponsoring and actively engaging in activities to ensure all of us as ocean users play our part in saving our oceans and seas.
- Safety on the water while having great fun and great wins for the competitive amongst us. As a parent, a sailor, a retailer and of late, all year round Forty-Foot swimmer on Dublin Bay, safety is a frame of mind but we all need the constant reminding and innovation in this area.
We will keep you all posted on our activities in my top three all year through our shop window, online, social media and newsletter. Watch out for new products, product launches guest speakers, product trials and much more.
Here’s to a clean, fun, competitive and safe year on and in the water. And here's a photo of Barcolona Regatta 2018 on the Adriatic (below). Great fun and one to add to the bucket list)
Barcolona Regatta 2018
