Dedicating this race to my father - Hendrik Stephanus Stroh 1935 - 2013

Like a potter my dad molded my young mind when he kneaded my basic values into my make up as a person. With his strong hands he folded into my clay body my integrity, honesty and gratitude. My dad was the one who taught me to never give up, and to complete everything I started with all the energy and power within me. He opened my mind irreversibly and made me question everything to the point of total irritation to all the people close to me. I can blame him for my obstinacy and cynicism, but I can also thank him for my unstoppable perseverance and strength. Like a good potter he hardened me up in a kiln of fatherly fire, and never let me get away with mediocrity. He glazed me with colour and brought out the poet and artist I sometimes can be.

My fondest memories of my father are the bedtime stories he used to tell of his hunting and wild life warden days, and all the beautiful books he read to us. He taught my brother and I, and our extended family,  all about the African veld and animals. He was a true romantic and I admired the way he loved, adored and spoiled my mother. 

He was an example of excellent corporate work ethics and calm worldly wisdom. I always knew I could rely on him for advice and support in all financial, spiritual and career decisions – he was always there for me. Always.

I am so lucky that this wonderful man was a part of my life for 50 years. I am sad that I won’t be able to do the Albany to Sydney race as part of my journey around the world, but will go back ‘home’ to celebrate his illustrious life with my family before I join again to do the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and continue and complete what I have started.

I dedicate the race to my father and will smile every time I tenaciously carry on when I feel like quitting if things are tough, because that is how he proudly sculpted me.

I’ll always walk in his footsteps, be guided by his words, love as he loved, live a full life, and be protected by his ever present spirit.

Thanks Dad!

Lief vir jou Pappa. Van jou Doggie



In the words of my father’s favourite song popularized by Frank Sinatra and written by Paul Anka:

I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do , I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
The right to say the things he feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!