My First Boat - Part 1

For the past week I’ve been busy restoring an old dinghy that means a lot to me.

The boat in question has never had a name, only being referred to as “the dinghy”.

It’s a simple flattie that my father built about 15 years ago as a tender for a fibreglass sailing boat he owned.  Since then it’s served many purposes, but most importantly, it’s the boat that taught me to row.  Now, it’s not the person who learns to row.  It is, in fact, the boat that teaches the person.  With this in mind we all must make sure that every young person learns to row in a good boat.

Not too big, not too small, not at all tippy, with enough scratches and dings to assure the beginner they’re in safe hands, and, most importantly, a boat made of wood.

When I was 12 years old we moved to a house on the Brisbane River and “the dinghy” became my most loyal companion.  It didn’t take long for me to start rowing and exploring the banks of the river.  Soon I was rowing every day.  At first it was used for fishing and exploring.  As I grew a bit older – for longer expeditions, and what I’ll term loosely as ‘salvage work’.  It also became my everyday transport – for rowing to school.  It’s also been a tender and a workhorse.  This little boat has served many purposes during its relatively short life.

Sydney Harbour mornings

Every day I would row against the tide, usually to the rail bridge.  These trips would take about half an hour and I would then turn around one of the big pylons to enjoy the warm glow of the late afternoon sun.  I would stop rowing, watch the sun set, and let the tide take me back down the river to home.  There were only the sounds of birds to accompany me in this tranquil setting, and that was all I needed.  I have never been one to meditate, but this was just as good for me.  What a joy it was.  I now use a different boat to enjoy the sunsets, but my memories will remain with the dinghy that taught me to row.