The Recording of the Live Presentation is Now Available Below
Note: We’ve separated the presentation and Q&A into two videos below.
Tom’s Presentation:
Q&A with Tom:
Last year, Tom gave a presentation looking forward to beginning the journey he’d been dreaming about since he was 13 years old – rowing across the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful wooden boat he designed and built. Last summer, Tom met his boat MAIWAR in Peru and cleared all kinds of international challenges before shoving off into the Pacific and rowing for 160 days before setting foot on land – weeks longer than planned when he missed his original destination. Now waiting out cyclone season on Tongareva AKA Penrhyn Island, Tom will join us to share stories, impressions, and photos from his journey so far.
Live Q&A to follow.
Speakers:
- Tom Robinson – Boatbuilder & Adventurer currently on Tongareva, South Pacific
- Moderator: Steve Stone – Co-Founder of Off Center Harbor and the Worldwide Classic Boat Show
Aloha Tom,
I know that words often fall short but would like to to share some with you in hopes of you regaining your excitement for life and this great adventure I call life. As great an achievement as rowing across an ocean is…. I think your greatest achievement was finding yourself in your time with nature, and also finding what we are always told life is supposed to be like (ie. life in the society we live in ) that this real social life actually exists in places like Penryn and perhaps not so much in the society we grew up in. Having seen this you now know the truth of this world and our 2 worlds. The world of nature and how we embrace it rejoice in it and support it and each other like Penryn, and the other you experience when in the society we grew up in. There is beauty and wisdom in both and you now get to choose how you want to interact with both. This truth is power and freedom for you, you will find your way through by following your joy and bliss. Life is the greatest adventure of all and you can now be completely in charge of yours. Life isn’t like we have always been told… its better in some ways … and not so good in others. Find the good ways that feeds you and follow that. Always have a fun adventure to wake up for and feel great about. Every day you can do wonderful things even if it’s just enjoy nature and being able to experience that. Wishing you happy fun adventures with big smiles and happy hugs of delight. Aloha!
WOW! What an amazing, lovely, provocative video. I sit in the comfort of my little office looking out at snow that has finally arrived in mid-New England, often worrying about climate change, the continued conflicts among nations, etc., and then I watch and hear your journey. And I think to myself, we will get through this, like you got through your troubles, and we will arrive in a place like Penrhyn and we’ll be at peace. You are aptly named the warrior who paddled from far away. May the currents take you home, but not too quickly, so that you can continue to share your remarkable voyage with all of us.
I’ve been following Tom’s journey from day one. I’m so emotionally and moved by this video. Tom, you set off on a personal goal, I love that, yet you have transcended us to the level we should be living and I much love to you for that. You’re engender peace and love. Rock on Tom!
Kia Orana Mahuta Hoehoe a Sanga,
Thank you for your sumaringa story iaue brought happy tears listening to you talk of home and your life at sea, Kia manuia & Nate Atua koe e tiaki i to tere hoeanga na te Moananui a Kiva and safely to your Aroha ones
Aroha nui
Te Pou
Thank you Tom for sharing your story. I hope you have a great rest in your stay on the island and then get back to your row when it is time. You are wise beyond your years and I’m thinking you will keep building on that. You are an inspiration. Peace and safe travels.
Hi Bry,
The video is displayed at the top of this page. If you are still unable to see it, email us at crew@classicboatshow.com and we will help troubleshoot.
Hi Michael,
You should be able to view the video at the top of this page. If not, please email us at crew@classicboatshow.com and we can help troubleshoot.
I need a replay as well.
Hi Theresa,
The replay should be there now! If you are unable to see it, email us at crew@classicboatshow.com and we’ll help troubleshoot.
I cannot find the replay either kapduva@yahoo.com
Hi Peter,
We’ll email you and help you get sorted.
Hi Craig,
The replay is at the top of this page.
Where is the replay?
Hi Brian – It is the video player at the top of this page.
Thank you very much for sharing of yourself and adventure. Be Safe and keep it simple.
dale niemann
How will you re-provision on Penryn?
Hey everybody…. there is a link to Toms GoFundMe page. I donated to help his journey be successful
Hey Tom! What’s one thing about Penrhyn culture you wish your culture at home in Australia would adopt?
Can you make comment on “The Green Flash” ?
Kia Orana Tom and all the Tongarevan islanders,
I had the amazing good fortune to sail to Tongareva when I was about 25 or so on a little Swiss cruising boat with my beau and our parrot Christobal (guess where we got him!). We were one of two cruising yachts there for over a month anchored both at Omoka and at Te Tautua. I doubt there are any islanders left that would remember Roger and I and our little 11 metre sloop, Hippo, but if there are please give them all my love and tell them that I have never forgotten them and that I still hold their hearts in mine. I have a Tongarevan story to tell you but will do so in a separate email. E no’o ra, Roxy
Desde Perú.
Lo más cuerdo y mágico a la vez que he visto en vida. Más allá de los tecnicismos del viaje, me interesa el viaje espiritual.
Hello Tom! been following you since last year and very happy to see you made it to shore and are having a good time. Did you have any bad storms you that you had to weather? If so how did you continue to row during them. Take care and am continuing to watch your amazing adventure and will say I am a bit jealous.
HMS Gimbal
Great presentation. Given the extended length of your voyage, how was your food and water situation.
Don
Did you use a sea anchor when you were not rowing?
Tom, even following you fro Dallas TX USA on your sojourn across the vast Pacific. Wondered if you had religion in your soul and going to church on the island and has that has impacted you.
Admire you greatly!
Steve’s Dad Jack
I am looking forward to an opportunity to view this afterwards. Sadly this livestream stops and resumes again live so much is missed. thanks for a most interesting talk (even in snippets) Its fascinating.
I followed your journey and hearing you tell your story and experiences and how amazing it is to have arrived… and the warm greetings from the people there is just so wonderful. Something you will always have with you. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your story ….so far. I look forward to more of your story. All the Best to you. Julia (Nate’s mom)
So glad you had Thor Heyerdahl and Kon Tiki in mind at the first. I loved that book and adventure! And I loved that you shared the wisdom you learned from your experiences. Wishing you the best while you continue on your journey.
Be nice to see a night photo of the squid fleet and the eerie lights
Wow! What at a wonderful adventure! I’m new to your story and wondering why you decided to row instead of sail.
Tom- I’ll watch your presentation tomorrow but I have a few questions. You may address them in your talk but I’ll ask anyway: Did you ever get injured, even something as slight as blisters on your hands or butt, sunburned shoulders or the back of your hands. More seriously any strained tendons, muscles or joints? Thanks. Quite a voyage and best of luck wherever your life takes you.
I am watching from New Westminster, Canada. It’s nice to hear this story from the one who is the story.
Hi
I am not getting anything through from the presentation, and have refreshed multiple times. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Bruce Christenson\
Upper Hutt, NZ
Hi Bruce,
The refresh should work, if not, I would try to watch from another browser. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari works best. But the presentation is live now.
Same happened to me, Bruce. So what worked? I went back to my email and linked again to the presentation. Wah-lah!
Hi
Thanks, after a long-ish delay it started up.. Amazing story Tom, and best wishes for the coming voyage!
Bruce
Alone with your wits and the grandeur of the vastness, was your sense of self reaffirmed or altered? How? And we’re you “visited” at times by a presence that now guides your life path.
Well done dude!!
What an amazing presentation about an amazing trip! We are watching you from.Brazil. The qustion is quite simple: would.you do it again after what you experienced?
Hey Tom, just wanted to let you know that we’re in awe of you for numerous reasons. Your strengths and abilities give hope to all that this planet may yet survive our species destructive characteristics. I met Tom McClean (rowed and sailed the Atlantic) decades ago and his joy of solitude must be a component that you share. Your time at sea has truly “sculpted” your soul but it was a piece of art before you left the shore.
Hi Tom! Watching from Brisbane 🙂 You are such an inspiration to T (who is sailing as I write) and I can’t wait for him to watch the replay when he gets home. Could you tell us about what inspired you to take on this incredible journey and where did that singleminded drive come from? We are thinking of you, with you in spirit and wishing you every success. Take care and love from Fiona and Tennyson