March 2, 2008
NYer Abandons Ship, Boyfriend on 1000 Day Journey
Soanya Ahmad, the 24-year-old woman who embarked last spring on a sailing journey that would last 1,000 days without making landfall, is back in New York City. She could only last just over 300 days before the elements and regular seasickness drove her to shore in Australia. Her 56-year-old boyfriend Reid Stowe is continuing his quest alone.
Before undertaking the epic and potentially record-setting attempt, Ahmad had actually never sailed on the ocean before. It was Reid's second attempt; he was accompanied by a different girlfriend on the first voyage. What ended Ahmad's trip last week was subsisting on a diet of sprouts and dried fish, while being rolled on the giant ocean waves of the southern hemisphere. From the get go, it was not all smooth sailing. Stowe and Ahmad's schooner was actually struck by a freighter one night within days of leaving New York Harbor.
It will be interesting to see how Stowe progresses on his journey, which can be followed here. The 2006 documentary Deep Water looked at how the isolation of the open ocean for solo sailors is enough to endanger a person's sanity.
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maybe she realized what a creep the dude is.
But they look so happy together in that picture!
don't rock that boat baby!
Haha that dude is so dumped.
Message to old farts: May-December romances don't work out. 32 years is rather a big gap in age. You don't see me going after little girls like that.
Hint to would-be sailors: Try sailing in rough waters first to see if you get seasick before you go on that three-year (or three hour) tour.
This enterprise seemed ill-fated from the start. I'm glad Ahmad is back in NYC. I'll also reiterate the recommendation of the film Deep Water I mentioned above (not to be confused with the abandoned scuba divers and sharks film Open Water). It's a compelling and well made film.
memo to Soanya: you don't date a guy more than twice your age to end up living in a floating trailer park.
Inviting chicks on longass boat rides is the new "do you come here often?"
THIS is like, the worst image I have ever seen. Lord.
All it needs is a LOLcat and some lens flares.
WTF no HTML? I'm talking about this banner:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_f6vKjlMIpuo/R3qXyOWLYeI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ehEhsr3MN84/s400/Banner.jpg
WTF no HTML? I'm talking about this banner:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_f6vKjlMIpuo/R3qXyOWLYeI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ehEhsr3MN84/s400/Banner.jpg
You guys may want to put some of the snarkies aside.
Reid was a fixture for years @ the Frying Pan, where he berthed his boat, preparing for this trip. Had an interesting concept, based on the estimate of about 1000 days to get to Mars, he was trying to do 1000 days (without re-supply) at sea. Kinda bonkers idea, and yeah, he was always a little glazed, but has definitely put in his time on the decks. Was always pleasant, informative & welcoming when me & the kids stopped by. Took time to explain his concept and always offered up some of his great sprouts.
He is definitely a "Zero-footprint" kinda guy, without a bad bone in his body, and those who bitch about a crowded L train should at least give him some credit for having some major cojones. He is also quite a good painter & woodcarver.
I wish him a safe, peaceful & successful journey.
Dadoc
Without a bad bone in his body? Reid Stowe is a convicted drug smuggler (30,000 pounds of Marijuana) and a dead beat dad. Having children, you should be wary of those that abandon responsibility to their own.
Evidence here - http://1000daysreality.blogspot.com/
What's the movie going to be called?
The Old Man and His Semen Vessel?
And by semen vessel I mean her not the boat...
Thanks for the info, regattadog.
In the words of Johnny Carson,
"I did not know that".
Didn't know about the deadbeat thing.
Sucks big time. No wonder he wants to get 1000 days out of jurisdiction.
As to the weed thing, no wonder he was always so mellow. And the sprouts?
Once again, thanks for the info, I learn something(s) new every day!
dadoc
Hey, 15 tons of weed might have been an anti-nausea product that any long distance sailor would want aboard his boat in case of rough seas.
"Logbook: 5th of December, 2001. Very rough seas last night in the North Atlantic. Almost lost the bilge pump, which would have been disastrous. Have now been out of radio contact for three days due to antenna troubles. Had to smoke 30 joints to keep down the salted cod this morning. Will update when the weather clears. May need to swing by Jamaica to re-stock on fresh fruit and other supplies."