The Cruising Community

A fellow friend on the dock complained just the other day: “why bother making all these new friends when you know you’re never going to see them again?” It’s true, there’s quite a few new friends we’ve made that we won’t see again, so why do we do it?

Friendships amongst cruisers tend to be fast and intense. It often starts with a nod and smile on the dock or a wave in the anchorage. You notice someone that needs help and you have just the right tool or at least a hand to lend. You start talking and find that you share a common lifestyle that many others don’t understand. You’ve had some of the same hardships and many of the same life pleasures.

And amidst all this we are so different. We’re from different countries: Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Britain, France, even Russia and the US. We’re different ages: Our group of friends this season ranged from age 13 to 88. We’ve had different life experiences; from sailing with a family, to losing a loved one, newbies in the cruising community or those who have done it for decades. We have a myriad of health issues that have taught us adaptability.

And we learn from one another. We share stories and emotions. We’re there to lend an ear when someone needs to vent, or whatever else we can do to help. Tools and technical advice are certainly free-flowing. We share travel advice from the places we’ve been to those who haven’t gone yet. We share a glass or two of wine and learn about one another. In this day and age of divisiveness we come together as new friends. And maybe we won’t see many down the road. But we will see some. And we will stay in touch. Because these are the people who have touched us so.