CAPTAIN AND FIRST MATE:
Dr. Dennis & Linda Brittain
THE CAPTAIN.....and bait boy!
I grew up on boats. My father was a commercial fisherman and then long time recreational boaty enthusiast. I still remember at 6 years of age getting up with my dad even against his wishes, to share his 12AM to 4AM watches on the commercial boat. I would always insist on pulling the 'Iron-Mike' off and steer to the compass. I 'stole' my parents power boats every chance I could get growing up. SCUBA diving became a big part of my life in high school as well as racing sailboats. Many days over the intercom would ring " Dennis Brittain, please remove your pickup and boat from the staff parking lot!" Of course it was the closest place for my quick getaways out of science class, with always with a promise to bring back some fresh crab to my science teacher.
After my training as marine biologist and commercial diver, I ended up in Bermuda at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research. Besides spending day after day deep into 'research', I began a more intensified learning curve racing sailboats at the Royal Bermudian Yacht Club and around the island race courses.
Then again back in Monterey, CA over the ensuing 7 years there I spent 4-7 days a week on the water sailing and or teaching diving under it.
Post graduate school where I obtained my Doctorate of Chiropractic had me in the Bay Area of CA. I had no money to even buy the cheapest of windsurfers, so I would wander the docks and place ads for crew in the Bay Area docks. Eventually I ended up racing a lot in the Bay as well as the longer overnight SF-Richmond races.
Finally, after starting a practice in Newport, OR, I became involved again, racing a friend's Trimaran (an Ian Farrier F9-A) in Washington, California and Mexico. Note we ended up setting records and winning race after race in heavy WX or not. It was a thrill sailing at 25 knots, nosing into a swell, bouncing back for a second then launching forward again just waiting to see what would happen first; either a mast, chute or boat failure! What did Rich say?..."It's easier to drive someone else's boat like it's stolen?!?!"
During those times my lovely wife who had spent years as a youth in the ocean fishing with her dad, spent time with me bare boating in the Caribbean and South Pacific. Our first decision was to buy a Cat 25 to play around our bay locally and buoy race. She got hooked, but most of that was all out racing against Santana 20's and 25's. We worked the daylights out of her and ended up pushing a slow boat to many victories. Next step was a HUN 336, better offshore boat and we could spend decent amount of time 'camping' out.
THE FIRST MATE
Having a family weekend lake house growing up having a Dad who I loved to salmon fish with recreationally, most of my time was spent on the water as an adolescent. Needless to say, I was very comfortable with boats and I could dock powerboats well before I even thought of driving a car. My husband taught me over the years to sail by chartering initially, then sailing and racing our own boats. I then took it another step and years later went with some friends to a sailing school to find out what I knew without the supervision and instruction of my husband. In 2006, I had the opportunity to crew from New Zealand to the Cook Islands, over 1600 miles with a couple and one of my adventurous friends. We went through 3 gales, 2 of which were back to back and I was truly stretched, yet overall it was an incredible trip with many pleasant memories. Knowledge replaces fear and the more I know and experience the more enjoyable sailing is for me. We lived aboard for 8 years which really prepared me for cruising, as well as, my husband and I worked together for years. Some days I feel the part of the admiral and other days that of the swab when I'm frustrated as a result of being mechanically challenged. Most the time though, I'm the first mate and glad to have this opportunity!