RACE 12 - DAY 3

Pride – Delve Deeper

Pride is one of the team values for us on PSP Logistics. It means we are brave, generous and don’t judge each other. As crew, we sign a collective contract for each race to abide by these principles. On our boat, as on the streets, Pride stands for something important, visible and active.

As I write this blog, it’s also Capital Pride in Washington, DC, a Host Port of the Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race, and the destination of this current race leg. DC’s LGBTQ+ Pride festival culminates in a public parade. This year’s theme is Totally Radical, and the parade is a visible tradition honouring the past, celebrating the community, and continuing the fight for equality.

Many years ago, I was a marketing co-chair for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the largest LGBTQI+ festival in the world. Like DC’s Capital Pride, Mardi Gras culminates in a huge parade that harkens back to its origins of a demonstration of, and demand for, equality. Pride is demonstrated in how we live our lives and accept ourselves and others in all of our beautiful phases of our individual and communal metamorphoses.

Something I’ve come to realise during my time on the boat over the past nine months, is that I’m no longer focused on just being proud of what I DO. Instead, I’ve more bravely become proud of who I demonstrably AM – something that’s more radical, immutable and authentic to me. Yes, I may have a great session on the helm, or a slick evolution in the pit. However, I will be remembered and valued more for who I am: reliable, honest, kind, caring, creative and more. Recognising this required me to truly delve deeper, and bravely accept myself for who I am with pride.

Happy Pride everyone!