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Crew: Andrew Inglis
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Vessel: WindRider 17
Class: The Wind Division
Get to know Team Spirit in the Night
First thing first. Why race in WA360?
Enlightenment. Enlightenment through blisters and butt sores.
What’s your connection to these waters?
I’m drawn to these waters like that early mammal that tried life on land, thought, “what was I thinking?” and then slid back into the ocean and became a whale. I’ve evolved from hiker to windsurfer to kayaker to, now, sail-and oar small boat enthusiast. Just being on the water does something for the soul, but add to that the many wonders I’ve seen: eagles, ospreys, spawning salmon, whales, seals, roiling currents, and that most magical night I spent, camped on my boat in a downpour in Desolation Sound. The raindrops were so thick and heavy that they exploded in expanding circles of bioluminescence when they hit the water. Pure alchemy.
Superpowers. Each crew member gets one. What are they and why?
I will–no matter what–feel inestimably lucky to be doing what I’m doing for every moment of the WA360 adventure. That will be my superpower.
Why? Because I have a deep appreciation for the ridiculously tiny chance of having a conscious existence in the vast endless march of time and yet, here I am.
Defend your vessel choice for WA360. What makes it so cool and worthy?
I wouldn’t necessarily describe my WindRider 17 as cool, but she is worthy. She has been a beautiful platform for my creative expression. Need to pitch a tent? She’ll make it work. Same with a sliding seat rowing set-up, anchor storage mount, dry gear storage, and with caguole looped around the rear cockpit combing I can sail warm and dry in the worst weather. Her conservative sail plan keeps me safe in a blow, she’ll heave-to beautifully if I need it, and here polyethylene hull will forgive my errors. She’s like that older sister that encourages you to go be all you can be, but quietly does things to keep you safe.
What are your adventure qualifications for WA360? What makes you (y’all) cool and capable?
As a pediatric airway surgeon I have pulled little lives back from the edge of the precipice many times.
As a hiker I have explored tight slot canyons in Utah.
I have spent two weeks in a dory through the Grand Canyon, and spent week-long trips canoeing the Green and Colorado Rivers
I have kayaked through Deception Pass. (At slack tide, however…)
Crazy Janey and I have spent weeks camping and exploring Desolation Sound, the San Juan Islands, and get out on Lake Washington when the big winds come.
I have survived the second-hand smoke of the Barefoot Raid.
Most importantly, I can do armpit farts.
What is going to break?
Options are me or my boat, Crazy Janey.
I have utter confidence in Crazy Janey. She will not let me down.
I anticipate that 80% of the 300+ miles will need to be rowed. Under that circumstance, the wear and tear will be greater on me than on her. What will break? Wrist? Back? Knee? Perhaps gasp my spirit?
It will be sad if I hit the proverbial wall, but in the words of Randall P. McMurphy, I’ll be able to say, “But I tried, didn’t I? Goddamnit, at least I did that.”