Shaba

Lamu Dhow and Cultural Festival

Lamu Kenya

After forty years of mildly competitive sailing, on three different continents, I would list my few days of racing on the Swahili coast as an all-time highlight. Much of the event would be familiar to people who sail in “rich world” regattas. Considerations such as weather, sail choice, tidal movements and crew roles are almost identical but then the sailing is infused with pure joy, where physical prowess, respect for tradition and experience, and the love of the practical act of moving a wooden boat through the water, transcends the importance of the final results. But don’t misunderstand me. They push their boats hard. Here Shaba puts two men in the water to help tack the massive lateen sail.

Cannon 5D, EF70-200 f2.8 USM, 200, 5 , 1/640