Pat Ward
My dad, Pat Ward, enjoying the magic of sailing. (photo credit: David Ward)

My dad shared his love of sailing with my brother Kevin and me.  In fact, it was a Father’s Day charter twenty years ago that sparked my interest in sailing.  My uncle David and cousin Slade joined the three of us on that trip in the British Virgin Islands.

We returned to the BVI ten years later for another guys’ trip, introducing new friends to the magic of wind, water and canvas.

Pat had wide-ranging interests: art, music, economics, cooking, business, writing, and in later years geneology.  But it’s the sailing that is my deepest connection.

This week I’m introducing a new family to sailing in the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Thanks, Dad, for who you were and for the special gift of sailing.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

EPSON MFP image
(L-R). Our first big sailing trip  Me, my brother Kevin Ward and my dad Pat Ward at the Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI, 1995.  (photo credit:  David Ward)