The ride was not just sit and relax kind. Everyone onboard had a chance to experience the work these men do everyday. If I were to do what they do on a daily basis, I’ll probably lose half of me in a week! Hmmm…. not bad huh?

Throughout the adventure, the crew were testing their sails and doing all kind of work. It was amusing for me as they seem to be doing things so randomly but yet they’ve got things done efficiently. I was standing next to the one of the watch captain as he instruct his crew. Few words I caught were “tagging” and “chicken little”!! Roughly I know whenever I hear tagging, I’ve to keep clear of all ropes around me and to watch my head and balance as the sail will be changing direction.

Six men will be needed at the ‘grinder’, a winch on board a sailboat and is used for hauling in and tensioning a variety of sail handling and control lines. All of us had a go at grinding. It needs lots of upper body strength and a very good balancing skill! I did it with one of the crew and he was going so fast that I lost control. On my second try, he told me to hold on tight and boy! my arms!! Never in my life have I spin my arms at that speed lah!

Read more about the adventure on board Puma VO70 at Singapore Stopover at http://claudia.sg/2009/01/onboard-puma-vo70-at-singapore-stopover/