Team Heit


A short (and racy) hybrid of our surnames, Heit is the preferred label on all our stuff when we go on multi-family camping trips. The five of us have grown up adventuring on water - in kayaks, rafts, tinnies, outriggers, surfboards, paddleboards, boogie boards, dragon boats, dinghies, highsides, windsurfers and barges. When we asked the kids, wanna go sailing? they said, sure, why not? None of us really had any idea what we were getting in to and the learning curve has been OH SO VERTIGINOUS, but having made a commitment to the kids, we're following through. Or, as my mother puts it, we've bitten off more than we can chew, and now we're chewing it.

The Kids:
Hi, it's Sylvie here. I'm six. I didn't want to go sailing at first because when Mum said I'd be sleeping on a boat I imagined sleeping in our tinny, which wouldn't be very comfy. Here's me in my cubby. It's comfy.


Hi I'm Reminy, I'm almost 14 and when Mum and Dad asked us if we wanted to go sailing for a year I was really excited. I love surfing, snorkeling, playing guitar, writing songs, being outside and in nature and pretty much anything to do with the ocean! Moving out of our house and getting ready has probably been the hardest period of my life, but it is slowly paying off. We have been to so many beautiful places already and I love living on the boat (although sharing a bed with my 10 year old brother is not always pleasant). I hope you really enjoy this blog and our videos.
Reminy


Hi, my name is Malachy (but people call me Budi) and I'm 10. When Mum and Dad said we were going sailing I was a little uneasy. The first time we motored up the river I was terrified. When we put the sails up and heeled maybe 2 degrees, I almost wet myself. But it turns out that I never get seasick and I hardly looked up from my book when we crossed the Wide Bay Bar (Mum was curled up in the salon surrounded by cushions). I love fishing. My favourite place in the world is Iluka, but sailing is cool too (although sharing a bed with my 13 year old sister is not always pleasant).😆😆





11 comments:

  1. And chew like mad.

    Reminy, How are you finding being away from your friends. My Son Jackson is a little older that you but I am worried about him missing his friends if I were to take him on a voyage. My eldest daughter is a year younger than you.

    Paul

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  2. hi Paul, to answer your question
    i do miss my friends a lot,sometimes i get pretty sad but when we get reception i call or face time them and its really good to catch up. my best friend is in England for two years so i would be missing her anyway!
    i think you should definitely take your family voyaging, it is totally worth it! we have had so many amazing experiences already. i love living on the boat, snorkeling,hanging out with my family (and the whales!)it is such an amazing thing to be doing
    hello to Jackson and your daughter
    Reminy

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  3. Thank you Reminy..I will pass it onto them. I have three kids,

    Jackson 15, Ainsleigh 13 and Jocelyn 10. They are all pretty good adventurers Jossy gets a bit scared from time to time when we have a large heel from a gust of wind but in the whole they all like sailing. I will show them this blog on the weekend and they may want to talk to you guys. I am just going to follow your journey as you head up the coast. My second cousin is ahead of you a little bit I spoke to him on Saturday and he was Just north of Airlie beach. He is a regular up there during the dry season although he does not venture back this way until the end of December. He is heading for Cairns and a bit beyond this year as there are a few Islands he wants to have a look around and a couple of Wrecks he wants to dive on. I may fly up there and spend a week with him on the boat around November. His boats name is Layabout so if you hear him on the VHF call out and say hi.
    Bye for now and safe journey's to you all,

    Paul

    PS, Where is your home port. Our boat is at Lake Macquarie NSW

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    1. Hi Paul, Melissa here. Your kids are so welcome to call anytime. Try Miles' mobile 0427458045, but leave it until tomorrow arvo cos we'll be out of range till then.

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  4. Hellooooooo, lovely to see images of your adventure and read how you are fairing. Looks pretty cool, cabbage notwithstanding. Checking in late with you because we have been flying the yellow flag (you'll know that one now you're nautical types). All better and on holidays now, in Iluka.

    When we were kids sailing Dad would spout these old RN sayings for us, the first being: Never tie knots in running rigging.

    I share it with you just because of the alliteration.

    Sam mailed Malachy a letter - did you get it? I texted it too, cos I was unsure how long you were in port.

    GREAT to see you all online. Wishing you sunshine and a strong breeze. Lots of love zj xxx

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  5. Sending all of you so much love! Matt Goff sent me this link yesterday, so I am thankful to find this wonderful site. Missing you all! I love Iluki too Budi!

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    1. Hey Jon, how's things?! Sounds like we'll see you in the new year - can't wait. xLiss

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  6. Hello Pandion! Staring at aeroplanes in the sky...ready to fly! xxx

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