Lean it, Earn it, Return it.

Learn it, Earn it, Return it. 

I learned this mantra from a fellow sailor, Rick Peterson of Palmetto, Florida.  We had run into each other again in a marina in Gibraltar and we were both heading to Morocco.  Rick and his wife Julie sail a beautiful Hylas 49 named “Believe”. 

Rick and Julie live this philosophy.  He is a retired surgeon and he and Julie make trips to Rwanda to volunteer his surgical skills to help the less fortunate.  Rick also shares his extensive knowledge of cruising through the Seven Seas Cruising Association.  He and Julie have cruised their boat through the Caribbean and over to Europe sailing to the Med, the Baltics and everywhere in between.   They have sailed to forty- two countries  over the past several years.   Rick gives great talks to fellow SSCA members.  At the recent SSCA GAM in Annapolis he talked about how big ships see sailboats with radar and AIS. 

“Learn it, Earn it, Return It” can be interpreted as getting an education in a subject, learning a skill or talent, then making a living and then paying back or helping others with this skill.  If you are pretty good at it then you can share that skill.  For some of us that skill is sailing.  

So what can you do to “Return It” to the sailing community? 

Lately I’ve been mentoring a few couples that have plans to go cruising in a few years.  I’ve invited them to sail with me in the Bahamas.  I let them plan the menus, plan the itinerary, and basically turn the boat over to them.  We discuss subjects like “who will be on the bow and who at the wheel when you anchor or pick up a mooring?”  More than knowledge,  I think they gain confidence. 

Herb Wittenbert at the Tampa Sailing Squadron works tirelessly running the Youth Sailing Program.  He doesn’t have any kids in the program; he’s just “returning it”.   The next generation of sailors is alive and well thanks to people like Herb.

Tom McMullen runs the Sea Scout program at the same club.   He was both an Eagle Scout and a Sea Scout.   His skills are a combination of sailing and scouting.  When Tom was a Scout he learned to give to the community.  Tom is “returning it” with his knowledge and skills as a Scout leader and a sailor.   

Do you know someone that used to love to sail but has grown too old to own and sail their own boat?  Maybe they had something to do with your love of sailing?  I’ve done several “senior sails” at my club where I invite anyone over the age of 70 to come out sailing.  I learn something every time I do this.  I learn about who these people are and to my surprise some of the amazing things they’ve done in life.  I asked one guy when he started sailing and he said “just after the Civil War”.  I think I’ll steal that one.

Maybe sailing is secondary to another skill that you possess.  Combining things like cooking, electrical work, sewing, painting or welding with sailing makes your skill set unique.  If you are a sailor and have a good grasp on technology there are lots of us dinosaurs that could use your knowledge about the best sailing apps. 

 If you are in the “Return it” stage of life and one of your skills is sailing then reach out for opportunities to share your skills and knowledge.  Get involved.   Invite a newbie to go sailing with you.  Hold a lesson at your marina or club to share your unique skill set.  Ask the people running the kid’s programs how you can help.  Buy a sail for the youth program or donate a boat.   Write an article for SOUTHWINDS.  

People new to sailing just need time out on the water.  Invite them, take them sailing with you.   Instill in them the sense of possibility.  You can help plant the seeds for their sailing dreams.   Give them the gift of sailing that someone once gave to you. 

“Returning it” as I’ve discovered has a boomerang effect.  I might think I’m doing something for others, but it seems that I’m also benefiting.  The pleasures I’ve gained through my efforts in “returning it” have been far greater than any effort I’ve put forward.  Rick and Julie didn’t tell me about this.