| Kyosuke's story-by Bill Payne |
Kyosuke Tomoda will set sail from Osaka August 2 for San Francisco. This, it turns out is step two of his four part plan to circumnavigate the world, but more on that later.
August 2 was his father's birthday. His father started teaching Tomoda-san to sail when he was 8 years old. When Tomoda-san was 16, his father passed away. His father's shipmates took Kyosuke under their wing and continued his informal training on the water. At the same time Kyosuke started dreaming of his plan to see the world.
Kyosuke finished high school and entered a training program in photography. After that he entered Doushiya University where he is majoring in journalism. His goal is to link photography and journalism into a career. He is currently finishing the first semester of his junior year. His voyage will take place on his summer vacation.
While in school, he attempted to gather some student partners to buy a sailboat. However the group could not find a consensus and the project died. Tomoda-san was not discouraged; he was able to use part of his inheritance to buy a 15 year old, 26 foot Yamaha with an 8 horsepower diesel - with his mother' permission... In this small boat he started turning part two of his dream into a plan. He recognized he needed more formal and comprehensive training so he looked for the most experienced sailor in this part of the world to be his teacher. Yoh Aoki was that teacher. Kyosuke remembers his first encounters with Aoki-sensei well. It was in June of 2002 he sought out Yoh and told him of his desire. Aoki-san owns the first ASA school in Japan. After the initial meeting, Aoki-san discouraged Tomoda -san from attempting the passage. This is an almost classic Japanese method of testing a student's strength. Tomoda-san left Aoki-sans office dismayed but not defeated.
A month later, Kyosuke Tomoda-san enrolled on Yoh Aoki's BKB class. He worked with diligence to fill the holes in his informal training and correct the patterns of errors he had developed. After BKB he went on to BCC, BKB,CON and ACC In addition, Aoki-san has tutored Tomoda-san in the proper use of the sextant. In this year long education of Tomoko-san, Aoki-san has become more of a mentor to the young man. Where Aoki-san's initial appraisal was not positive, he is now in total support of the young man's venture. Aoki-san believes Tomoda-san will gain experiences on this adventure which will stay with him throughout his life. Tomoda-san has extended his education under Aoki san. Aoki san, following his circumnavigation, spent seven years studying Zen and has become a master. Kyosuke has been attending Yoh's Zazen session learning the fundamentals of Zen meditation.
Tomoda-san will sail East from Tajiri Harbor on the Southeast corner of Osaka Wan at latitude 34*25'N and follow the world sailing route as high as about 41*N before angling Southward to San Francisco. On the chart the distance appears about 4700 nautical miles but Tomoda-san plans for 6100 nautical miles voyage in 64 days. After clearing customs in San Francisco, Tomoda-san plans to set a course for Redwood City near San Francisco.
He will not carry a GPS. Like Aoki-san, he will use a sextant. He will use a wind vane but no auto tiller. He will judge his weather by observation and a barometer. He hopes to install a ham radio before he departs. Tomoda-san will carry provisions for 70 days and will fish to supplement his provisions. Upon arrival in San Francisco, after a few days rest, Tomoda-san will put his boat up for sale before returning to Osaka
This passage is part tow of Tomoda-san's plan to circumnavigate the world. Last summer he made a six week pilgrimage across Russia and Europe to Lisbon Portugal with his camera. The Trans Siberian Railroad, which starts in Nohodka, Russia near Vladivostok and ended in St. Petersburg, takes 7 days alone. From St. Petersburg to Lisbon was another series of trains and buses. He found enough interesting faces on the trip to consume 50 rolls of film. Portraiture is a favorite subject for his lens. So, Kyosuke's circle of the globe takes on a twist more in line with Jules Verne's around the world adventure. In fact, Kyosuke plans to pick up his trip next year on a Harley across America! At this point, his plan is blank. He wants to fly solo across the Atlantic to finish the circle, but that may be years in the future, a task for post retirement.
For now the reality is the Pacific. We wish Kyosuka Tomoda God's speed and fair winds on this young man's quest.
To finance his trip he is accepting individual and corporate donations. Please inquire at: yoh@aokiyacht.com
