#TuksYachting: Student crew attacked by flying fish during Cape2Rio Yacht Race

Posted on January 14, 2020

The Cape2Rio Yacht Race is not only about sailing 5800 kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean in the fastest possible time; it seems to be a minute by minute adventure.

FOMO - fear of missing out - is the word used by the two Tuks and four Wits students who are competing as the Ciao Bella/JMBusha54 crew.

After eight days of sailing, they are fourth in the category for line honours. The student crew is, however, the first to admit there can't be any talk about any result being final yet. The key to staying "afloat" and surviving is to be continuously prepared for the unexpected as the ocean literally loves tossing up surprises. Ryan Robinson (skipper and crew leader) can vouch for it. 

In a blog post by Emma Clark, she describes how they were about to settle down last night to rest when they suddenly heard a high pitch squeal from Robinson. He got hit by a flying fish in the face.

He immediately shouted at Jonathan Ham to come to his rescue and help him get rid of the fish. His reasoning being that because Ham is studying to become a vet, he is a lover of all animals.  

None of the crew was, however, able to come to his assistance as they were having a severe laughing fit. It meant Robinson was left to his own devices to get rid of the fish. Armed with a roll of paper towel, he managed eventually to catch the fish. 

Triumphantly he tried to toss the fish back into the ocean, forgetting that it was a flying fish. It lived up to its name and flew out of his hand, landing back onto the deck again which meant Robinson had to make a second attempt to catch it. 

At long last, when the fish was back in the water, the relieved skipper uttered the words "good riddance".

He then summarised the incident saying: "We were ambushed by a barbed projectile from the depths of the ocean, flung by Poseidon himself, aimed right at my head. It was about a metre long, razor-sharp teeth and barbed wings."

According to Ham, flying fish got quite a stink about them often smelling like something that died three days ago. 

The student crew is ambassadors for JM Busha 54, which is an organisation that works to promote peace and unity in Africa through education, arts, culture, music and sports. Their aim is to raise awareness for the cause.

Apart from Ryan Robinson (Wits), the crew members are Michaela Robinson (Tuks - skipper), Emma Clark (Wits - tactician and navigator), Tawanda Chikasha (Wits - bowman), Jonathan Ham (Tuks - trimmer) and Hearn Johnson (Wits - bosun). 

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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