Enjoy the journey

Today’s start of summer term assembly sets the tone for the weeks ahead. Here it is without alteration. Hoc Age:

Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed the Easter break. I know that some of you will have spent time consolidating your learning, others revising for mock exams; but I hope you all managed to find some time to relax and recover energy levels. It was great to see BGS debating and BGS running taking place over the holiday too. Well done, all. And well done to Will, Obi and Ed for their selection to the Yorkshire Rugby Academy.

Summer term begins today, and the theme of the week is ‘determination’.

Clearly being determined is a good thing. Committing to something and seeing it through to completion, despite any hardship and mishap, that’s a good thing. Our school motto, Hoc Age is redolent with qualities such as self-belief, perseverance, Yorkshire grit. Again, a good thing.

Back in 1967, five sailors imbued with a deep sense of adventure, engaged in conversation about sailing single-handedly around the world non-stop. If successful they would be the first to complete this brave feat. They planned not to sail together or necessarily follow the same route, but departure from UK waters and the dangers of the stormy Southern Ocean in winter would mean that timings and courses would inevitably vary little, at least to begin with.

Technical ability, courage and perhaps a streak of recklessness – brio and indomitable spirit – was required. Boat design, safety, and navigational technology looked very different in 1967 compared to that of today. GPS for example was a thing of science fiction. Some of the solitary sailors didn’t even have a radio to call the shore or other vessels. At the time, as the challenge took form, it was described as the ‘Mount Everest of Sailing’, and whilst never intended to be a race, when the Sunday Times caught hold of the project, it turned into one.

The first non-stop single-handed circumnavigation of the globe caught the public imagination back in 1967. Initially five sailors contemplated this seemingly impossible venture. As the window to set sail approached, that being June to September of 1968, a final cohort of nine adventurous and determined yachtsman, Ridgeway, Blyth, Knox-Johnson, Fougeron, Moitessier, King, Tetley, Carozzo and Crowhurst made their final preparations. The eyes of the world were upon them. Their crafts were modest compared to modern-day ocean-going yachts – small boats in high seas! But our solitary sailors had big hearts and strong backs to make up for it. And they dared to believe they could do this thing and survive to tell the tale.

Ultimately, many would fail. Boats were broken and limped to port or capsized, lost in the spume of ocean storms. The race got under the skin of doughty men as solitude and stress took a brutal toll. Crowhurst died tragically during the challenge.

Robin Knox-Johnson was the one who triumphed. He departed Falmouth on 14 June 1968 and returned to the same Cornish fishing town 313 days later on 22 April 1969. You won’t be surprised to hear that Knox-Johnson was a tough character. A singular and determined individual. When assessed by a psychiatrist on his return to land, he was judged to be, and I quote, “distressingly normal” despite his ordeals.

So, in the resolute outline of Knox-Johnson, do we have a model of spirit and single-minded determination? Yes, we do! But there is more. Whilst the spotlight of success fell on Knox-Johnson, another yachtsman in the starting nine charted a different course. We admire the example of Knox-Johnson, and I encourage you to read his story, however I personally warm to the figure of Moitessier, even though his name has been lost somewhat since 1968.

Moitessier was observed heading north and fast on the homeward leg, just off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. But defying the logic of the race, he would, shortly after being spotted, turn sharply east and plough a course, for the second time on this journey, towards the Indian Ocean. Moitessier, it is believed, would have won the contest if he’d simply kept on sailing north. So why throw it all away? Had he lost his nerve? Lost his sharp edge of determination? Why did Moitessier snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

The answer he confessed whilst still at sea, and I’m quoting him:

“My intention is to continue the voyage, still non-stop, towards the Pacific Islands, where there is plenty of sun and more peace than in Europe. Please do not think that I am trying to break a record. ‘Record‘ is such a stupid word at sea. I am continuing non-stop because I am happy at sea and perhaps because I want to save my soul”.

There is a lesson here, elusive perhaps, but worthy of contemplation.

Knox-Johnson was the determined victor, worthy of the plaudits. Was Moitessier any less determined? He braved rough seas and raging gales. He might have won, but not at any cost, not at the expense of compromising his beliefs, the principles and values he sailed by. Moitessier abandoned the race and stayed true to himself – the explorer, the free spirit, the adventurer – ‘hang on tightly, let go lightly’ and sail on.

Determination can be witnessed in many forms. Determination to achieve goals is laudable, a good thing, but not at any price, not if you might lose yourself in the struggle. Is this the lesson? Perhaps. Or maybe winning just wasn’t that important to Moitessier?

That quote of his again: “Please do not think that I am trying to break a record. ‘Record‘ is such a stupid word at sea. I am continuing non-stop because I am happy at sea and perhaps because I want to save my soul”. He simply wanted to keep sailing and sailing without end. It’s not the destination (the trophy), that mattered, but rather the journey (the contest). Is that the lesson? Maybe.

To show a little determination is fine thing. Many of you will be doing just that as Ramadan begins in the UK this evening. It takes focus and commitment to observe Ramadan, qualities we all respect; and for Muslims it’s all part of a pledge to reflect, improve one’s self and show solidarity with others. Ramadan Mubarak to those members of our BGS family who are embarking upon their obligations today.

And of course, determination will always be required if we wish to be successful at school, university, the workplace and in all our various walks of life and pursuits, including hobbies and wider interests. But remember to enjoy the journey, remember Moitessier. When asked why he lived his life in constant motion on the world’s oceans, Moitessier said: “Sea, wind, calms, sun, clouds, porpoises. Peace and the joy of being alive in harmony”.

Wishing you a good summer term ahead.