Passengers:
John Botella, Fionall Botella, Benjamin Botella, Jesse Botella, Flynn Botella,
Pieter Ellison, Sherman Chan.
A surfing family affair to end our 2008 season.
Watching young kids push their boundaries over here is incredible. Watching Ben and Jesse gain confidence and catch some classics. Fiona and JJ getting their share. Uncle Peit enjoying the ride. All part of the stoke. Sherman, the Tank, got his share of waves and photos. A village trip to the local school showed the boys, and us, how children in other parts of the world gain an education.
For me, watching Fynn (3) and Flynn (5), play as only young boys can on a 70ft boat, was one of my 12 years' highlights in the Mentawai Islands. Sword fights, swimming, learning to stand up on the beachies, snorkeling, body surfing (smashing), watching Lilo and Stitch, or just making up games and watching the fish come aboard. They say that the first few years shape a child. I do hope Flynn remembers his time aboard the Barrenjoey. He was Fynn's little shipmate for this trip.