I’m a self-proclaimed lecture circuit aficionado. I’m not sure where this passion originated, but perhaps it comes from parents taking my sister & I to Audubon Society events when I was little.

When I first arrived in Vancouver, one of the very first speaker series I attended religiously was the Lectures on Architecture series that was held at Robson Square. When this series disappeared, I started attending more and more of the SFU City Program’s public events, perfectly suited for the urban-minded individual. And all the while, the Vancouver Historical Society has held their series of monthly talks at the Vancouver Museum for many, many years.

I’ve now got a new series of talks to take note of; the Vancouver Maritime Museum announced last week its speakers series for the ‘Bucket List’ seafarer. The series has been coordinated by circumnavigator and author Anne Brevig (9 Years on the 7 Seas with Nor Siglar), and it includes 5 upcoming talks taking place at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vanier Park. Considering that Anne grew up on an inland farm in Norway and could barely swim until age 16, that she had never set foot on a sailboat until she was 38, and that she got seasick easily, that’s quite a challenge! There must be some incredible life lessons to learn from this! Here’s a brief synopsis of what’s to come:

January 18, 2013
18 Years of Sailing Together
Judith & Harry McPhie take an honest look at relationships, the cruising community and the wonders of traveling slowly around the world.

January 25, 2013
South to warmer Climes! Vancouver to Mexico and Back
Steve & Tracey Dolling cover the practical aspects of fitting out a coastal cruiser for an extended duration cruise on a fairly unforgiving coast.

February 1, 2013
A Vancouver Island Circumnavigation
Ron Ungless & Gordon Milne -  Long time buddies share the planning and experiences of their recent trip around Vancouver Island aboard a 36-foot ocean-going sloop.

February 8, 2013
Around the World at Age 16!
Zac Sunderland learned how to sail when he was four years old, and at 16, he embarked on the adventure of a lifetime – setting sail into the Pacific Ocean on a quest to see the world and become the youngest person to circumnavigate it alone.

February 15, 2013
The Long Beat Home: Brisbane to Victoria
Jennifer Handley & Campbell Good  – Follow the adventures and misadventures of Jennifer, Campbell and family and friends over the course of their wild adventures across the Pacific.

WHERE
The Auditorium at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St. Vancouver B.C.

WHEN
8pm (doors at 7pm)

COST
$13/lecture; $50/ series.
Seniors, VMM members and Pacific Yachting subscribers $11/lecture; $40/ series.

TICKETS

For more info, see vanmaritime.com

Oh, and it looks like vanmaritime.com will be getting a new website soon; I’m looking forward to it! And a promise I shall make to myself; this is the year I will sail the VikingShip.ca!