We are just past half way through the Med season, and I don't know about you, but I'm broken. Those 16 hour shifts are starting to take their toll on my mind and body. It also feels like this has been the hottest Med season ever! I was in Greece last month and it got to 40 degrees celsius.
Days like these are important for staying grounded, yachting is hard, we know this, but we are hard workers and we carry on. Afterall, we love what we do.
I've been thinking of ways to boost morale mid season, something just to lighten the air a little bit. I decided that I am going to share a story with you. A somewhat embarrassing story, but I hope it puts a smile on your dial.
The Monkey in Mykonos
A few seasons ago I was in Mykonos, Greece. I was working as a deckhand on a motor yacht and we had a full boat, as well as villas booked ashore. There were lots of small kids too, like almost 10 of them! Small kids scare me, I don't really know what to do with them.
One of the girls (around 7 years old) came up to me the one day and said, "Hey, we are going to do a flossing competition!" to which I replied, "That sounds great – enjoy." She then said, "No, you and Mike (the other deckhand) are going to compete against us and some of the stews. We’re going to do it in front of everyone tomorrow afternoon!"
I laughed, but then the thought of my worst nightmare came to mind. I don't even know what flossing is, and now I must floss in front of a group of ultra wealthy adult guests and their children! I know for a fact these guests aren't interested in seeing me floss. They are used to being entertained by the likes of Steve Aoki , or Martin Garrix - not some deckhand who has no idea what he's doing.
This became one of many moments in my career where I questioned every decision I had ever made.
The stews had an advantage, they actually knew what flossing was! But the deck crew had the crowd on our side. You see, the young girls had taken a fancy to Mike and myself - even proposing to Mike multiple times! We needed all the support we could get at this point.
In case you don't know what flossing is, it's a dance move which gained popularity through social media. It involves moving your arms and legs laterally in opposite directions. These youngsters were all over it!
The anxiety was building as we approached the competition. Mike and myself had done rigorous training over the past day and a half to ensure we didn't make fools of ourselves - we were professionals after all.
Finally, it was time for the competition, we all gathered in the main saloon. 25 odd guests and the 4 of us clowns. I looked across the room at the audience, and couldn't help thinking, is this really what I have become. I felt like a dancing monkey for the rich and famous in Mykonos.
I managed to swallow my pride and put on a stellar performance of the floss! Mike and I received a standing ovation and ended up winning the competition!
It felt great, I was high on the buzz of the audience. I was ready to leave my yachting career behind me and become a performer.
Unfortunately, my high was short lived, 15 minutes later I was back on deck, pfd on, blue brush in hand scrubbing the waterline. And just like that my flossing career ended just as quickly as it had begun.
Yachting is filled with moments where you have to be more than just a deckhand, or chef, or stew , or engineer. You have to adapt to the situation, act fast and make sure your guests are enjoying themselves. Even if that means making a fool of yourself in front of a room full of people. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at?
I know it's hard work out there, but try to enjoy yourself and find things to laugh about. Yachting seasons tend to be full of funny/awkward moments!
Take a moment to step outside and take in your surroundings. Maybe you're anchored in Portofino, or Ibiza, maybe you're stern to the rocks in Greece or Croatia - wherever you may be, take a second to look around and appreciate the beauty around you. This is what yachting is about.