Lynx Wild West Sailing onboard reporter for the SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race Damien shares a little about himself, from 4 legs to two wheels and Atlantic swell he’s no stranger to ups and downs.

Name

Damien Duggan

What’s your job/profession? 

CMO of MODMO, wannabe Wild West Sailing ship mate and on board reporter for the race.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

There are so many people who I admire who have inspired me in life but having spent a lifetime involved in sports and racing of one type or another, the people I admire the most are those volunteers and coaches that give up their free time for the love of their sport just to help others, they are the unsung heroes in my opinion and they are right across society in every aspect of life.

Tell me three pet peeves.

Being late, being disorganised, and anything to do with dishwashers. (The machines)

What’s a typical day like for you? 

“I get up in the evening, and I ain’t got nothing to say” I come home in the morning, I go to bed feeling the same way” ah them were the days!! 

Not very exciting. Up at 7:30 am, get ready and herd the kids out to school. Usually into a few meetings then breakfast around 11:30 am. More meetings, then school run before feeding time at the zoo. I try to get sailing or ride my mountain bike most days or at least do some work on one of the above.

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about?

I used to be a national hunt jockey in a previous life so I guess that’s a skill or maybe a surprise to some people.

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

Oh probably sailing to some exotic like Inis Mor or Martinique!!

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’m still not sure I know the answer to that one but I did want to be a jockey and achieved that goal and did so for many years. 

If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

Several Mojitos.

Name three words that describe you.

Stubborn, resilient, and loyal, though I’m sure my friends would have a few others to add!

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

For sure it’s to successfully complete the SSE round Ireland yacht race this year and do our best as a crew, and enjoy the challenge along the way.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Outside of family, either sailing or riding my mountain bike, something with an element of adventure, I don’t do relaxing very well.

What would be your personal motto?

Not sure I have a specific one but I heard a saying once that I think is very relevant for happiness and success in life which is ‘go where you’re celebrated not where you are tolerated” In other words surround yourself with like-minded people and don’t worry about the detractors.  

What inspired you to do the SSE race around Ireland?

I’ve been sailing now for 4 years and prior to that have spent a lifetime competing and racing be that on horses or two wheels. The temptation has always been there to try yacht racing. Having done several courses with Wild West Sailing I was inspired by David and Cian when I saw the programme the guys put together for this year’s race. Spanning 18 days was just a no-brainer for me with the opportunity to learn so much, meet like-minded people and challenge myself along the way. I just can’t wait to be on the start line, or maybe the finish line!

Sign up for the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Wild West Sailing Race Programme today. https://wildwestsailing.com/racing/

Tune in to our social channels to hear from the Lynx Wild West Sailing crew on the SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race

Lynx bowman number one Joe Attwood. He’s a man of few words (almost none) but when he speaks we all listen. His center of gravity is low and his spirits are always high, he’s the right man for the job!

Name 

Joe Attwood 

What’s your job/profession? 

Hospitality.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

My dad because he inspires me to work harder every day.

Tell me three pet peeves.

Lazy people and small-mindedness are the only things that bother me.

What’s a typical day like for you? 

Wake up shower eat steak and eggs go sailing in Sligo then get a burrito watch pulp fiction and read a book.

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about?

Play the didgeridoo.

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

In the Mediterranean soaking up the sun.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A marine biologist.

 If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

Dark and stormy 

Name three words that describe you.

Confident, personable, trustworthy 

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

Begin working in the sailing industry 

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

I enjoy my own company so just relax and chilling out.

What would be your personal motto?

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too”

What inspired you to do the SSE race around Ireland?

To improve my sailing skills and push myself out of my comfort zone. Being assigned the role of Lynx Bowman Number One gives me that challenge.

Follow us on social media and stay tuned to see how Lynx bowman number one Joe, and the rest of the Wild West Sailing Crew get on in the SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race.

On his travels and going with the flow, meet Dale who found himself getting roped into the Wild West Sailing SSE Yacht Race Around Ireland Crew.

Name

Dale Patterson

What’s your job/profession?

I own an Engineering/Import/Export company that enables me to do a bunch of sailing.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

A friend who unfortunately passed away, he knew who was and didn’t care what people thought of him. There was a valuable lesson in not caring too much about what others think.

Tell me three pet peeves.

People who aren’t on time just kill me, really the only thing that rips my shorts.

What’s a typical day like for you?

I check the weather, then I shop for boats, then I check the markets, then I shop for smaller boats.

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about?

I can snore I’m told.

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

Anywhere warm.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I wanted to build boats, mission accomplished.

If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

3 Dark and stormy thanks.

Name three words that describe you.

A competent quiet sometimes Idiot.

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

I’d like to make it home to New Zealand.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

I like to do a bit of cooking and a bit of gardening when I’m able.

What would be your personal motto?

Be the change you want to see in the world.

What inspired you to do the SSE yacht race around Ireland.

Not inspired but rather told it would be amazing and it probably will be.

Follow the Wild West sailing social media channels to stay up to date on how we are doing on the SSE Yacht Race Around Ireland.

Pro surfer turned sailor with a passion for food and the voice of an angel. Meet Ronan Wild West Sailings SSE Round Ireland Race crew member, we call him “the full package”.

Name

Ronan Oertzen 

What’s your job/profession?

I was a pro surfer until recently and now I’m company director in my own business and trimmer on Lynx for the SSE Round Ireland Race.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

David Attambra because of his unwavering dedication to preserving the Earth and his values. 

Tell me three pet peeves.

Untidy individuals.  People who take advantage of others. When you don’t put my tools back where you found them.

What’s a good day like for you?

Get up walk across the beach to the bar and have media con tomate with a few mates, while checking the surf. Hoping to catch a few waves and then grab a second breakfast. Go out on my mate’s boat to a cove, and chill there for a while and do a bit of snorkeling. Head back and set up the barbecue on the beach and cook up a feed with a few drinks. Then fall into bed. 

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about :)

I’ve recorded an album.

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

Alicante 

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

An Engineer always had a soft spot for combustion engines. Mainly taking them apart since it’s a lot easier than putting them back together.

If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

Cuba libre brings back some epic memories and helps me make more.

Name three words that describe you.

Reliable, honest, and hates the cold.

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

Too many things to mention but a major one would be getting one step closer to building my business which is a surf camp in Donegal.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Surfing, sailing, playing music, and just spending time with my mates and family.

What would be your personal motto?

A tope o nada  (full or nothing) 

What inspired you to do the SSE race around Ireland?

The only way to become a better sailor is to sail with better sailors, that is what the SSE Round Ireland Race is all about for me.

Stay tuned to the Wild West Sailing social media channels and keep track of how we progress through the SSE Round Ireland Race.

Today we hear from Wild West Sailing First Mate Fiona for the SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race From Galway to New Zealand and back, the Atlantic salt was calling.

Name 

Fiona Ryder 

What’s your job/profession? 

Currently, a Consultant in Adventure Tourism and Health & Safety, specialising in adventurous activities.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

Hands down my amazing sister and her family. She is the most humble, empathetic, kind human I have ever known, especially as she faces some of the most unthinkable challenges in life. She is an unstoppable hero on how to live.

Tell me three pet peeves.

Haha, hey so you should ask the crew about this one. Think they might have some impressions they could share with you. Joe made a dismal attempt at an impression of me the other night at team dinner!!

What’s a typical day like for you? 

Lucky for me I don’t have a typical day. I’ve been a digital nomad for the last couple of years and am lucky to spend time in my two homes, Ireland and NZ. Days can be anything from sailing to contract work to family to time with my pooch and friends. 

I’m extremely fortunate to live and work in a natural rhythm. 

.Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about :)

I can flip a huge stack of beer mats.

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

Anywhere sunny – Pacific Island, Mediterranean island? 

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I had the best pair of WW wonder woman shoes. Love the resurgence of the stories and have been to Athens and Delos last year, I had a fabulous reflection on my youth and love of the strong women of our past!!

If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

Round of dark and stormies for the crew

Name three words that describe you.

Following her path

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

Build my tiny home cabin and get the site organised.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

I have a long list, as long as it’s with people I love. Although I really enjoy the alone time too.

Weekend boating with friends, Muriwai beach and forest with my pooch, road trip or day drive. PJ day. Yummy scotch in hand.

What would be your personal motto?

Pause, breathe and listen to your gut. What feels right is right. Surrender.

What inspired you to do the SSE race around Ireland?

Wanting to do one of the big ones on my home ground and the opportunity to be Wild West Sailing First Mate on this epic race.

From NASA to salty sailor meet SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race Wild West Sailing crew member Sinead!

Name – Sinead O’Sullivan

What’s your job/profession? Aerospace Engineer, specializing in space. After an amazing 10 years working for NASA and being a professor at Harvard, three weeks ago I quit my job and I’m taking a semi-permanent sabbatical to finish a book. 

Who is someone you admire, and why? My friend Bradley Farquhar was a satellite engineer until he turned 39 and then decided he wanted to go to the winter Olympics, so learned how to skeleton in the hope of qualifying in 3 years’ time. We’re never too old to do amazing things!

Three pet peeves. Nothing actually annoys me that much. Maybe people complaining about things that can’t be changed, or not changing things that can be changed.

What’s a typical day like for you? Until very recently, start work at 6am, and grab breakfast at 8 or 9. Cycle between Harvard and MIT to have meetings with astronauts, spacesuit designers, and satellite planners, spend 2-3 hours writing research papers, and 1-2 hours teaching a class. Try to fit in a run throughout the day. Meet friends for dinner if I’m lucky, but mostly work until midnight and repeat.

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about or maybe would prefer not to know about :) When I’ve had too many dark and stormies I think I can play the guitar and sing. Spoiler alert- I really can’t. 

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be? Sounds corny but I believe I’m always exactly where I should be. Also, I just moved to Palma and I’m overlooking the superyachts so this is just fine!

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up? A pilot and an astronaut! I made one of those happen, and I got pretty far in the selection for the other. I’ll settle for sailor now though

If we went to happy hour, what would you order? Dark and stormies baby

Name three words that describe you. Resilient, determined, caring.

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year? Finishing my book and getting my Yachtmaster

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working? Running, swimming, sailing, hanging out with interesting people, reading, eating good food, pretty much anything and everything!

What would be your personal motto? “Ad astra” (per aspera). It’s what we say in the space industry a lot. “Through hardship to the stars” – basically that anything worth doing is hard. 

What inspired you to do the SSE Round Ireland Yacht Race? I wanted to see how long it would take on a boat to make me cry… Also, I really want to see Ireland from a different perspective and do something cool with interesting people!