Family fit in Rolex Sydney Hobart

(L-R) Helsal 3's family members Ryan Gallagher, John Gallagher, John Davis, Luke Davis and Jack Davis © Salty Dingo

For the Canadian father-son pairing of John and Ryan Gallagher, this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will mark their first opportunity to sail in the event as crewmates.

Their experience may stem from harbour sailing in Canada, but they still come with some white-water experience and the challenge of tackling its strength and unpredictability. Albeit, that experience is with canoeing in river rapids together in the wilderness of Canada.

"We've done some cool camping trips, good canoe trips back in Canada, but sailing is a new one," said Ryan today at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organiser of the race.

John smiles as he recalls their first kayak trip together and of "learning to read the maps and wondering what these squiggly blue lines across the river mean... [that being,] rapids."

The duo has no false illusion about there being any similarity between facing the white water of river rapids that can still be treacherous, and that of the open ocean.

Asked if the experience of handling the white water of a river could help the pair in an ocean sailing race, John whimsically said: "I think there is more at stake in this one."

The 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart, which starts in Sydney Harbour on Monday 26 December, has been a bucket list event for them.

Hence, they didn't hesitate when Paul Mara offered them the opportunity to crew on the Adams 20, Helsal 3, that Mara co-owns.

So, what is the attraction of sailing in the race? "Just the adventure... to be out on the ocean, not see the coast, see the skies," Ryan said.

At sea and while sailing, the Gallaghers are anything but the typical father-son pairing one might see at a family gathering on land, especially at Christmas lunch.

"It's a lot of fun," said John of what it is like to crew with his son. "It's a chance to do something different. It's not really [about] a father-son hierarchy, but two buddies on a boat."

The Gallaghers are an adventurous lot. Christmas is often spent away from Montreal, their place of origin. John now lives in the United States in Jacksonville, Florida where he owns a small sign shop. Ryan has lived 10 years in Melbourne where he is a landscaper.

"It changes every year," said John of where the family spends Christmas. "We have kids in Canada, kids in the States and kids in Australia, so every year is an opportunity to travel."

Another father-son pairing to feature in this year's race is that of Stuart Broom, who has sailed in 12 Sydney Hobarts and his son Mackenzie, aka 'Mac', who is a race debutant. They will be crew on the Grimes family's Sydney 38, Hasta La Vista.

While this will be their first Hobart together, they at least have the recent experience of having sailed across the Atlantic from Gibraltar to Antigua together.

"We've done lots of sailing previously, but that was a good long one," said Mac of the sail.

"It was really nice to do it together. And it'll be really nice to do another long one together."

Mac has heard all about the Rolex Sydney Hobart. "But I think you just need to focus on getting a good start and staying warm.

"The rest of it is kind of what we do and what we love. And, you know, we all know how to do what we need to do in any given circumstance. But you never know what can come around the corner..."

Stuart concurs with his son, saying it is largely about getting processes right.

"For us, sailing and the Hobart, it's about the challenge and the preparation," he said.

"Without the preparation, you don't get anywhere. We've prided ourselves on getting the boat to the best it can be so we don't have to pull in to Eden or some other little town."