SA\u2019s famous \u2018silent voyager\u2019 back in EL <\/p>\n
2008\/10\/31 <\/p>\n
FOUR years after travelling around the world alone, the \u201csilent
\nvoyager\u201d is back in the country of his birth, visiting his family in
\nEast London. <\/p>\n
Charl de Villiers, who has been based in Texas for the past 17 years,
\nmade headlines four years ago when he became the first deaf sailor to
\ncircumnavigate the world single- handedly. <\/p>\n
His father Johan jokingly told the Dispatch that De Villiers only
\nvisited his family when he was injured \u2013 the last time was after he
\nhad broken his leg playing rugby. <\/p>\n
This time around, De Villiers injured his arm while repairing a boat
\nin Texas. Doctors told him it would take six weeks for his arm to heal
\nso, as he was unable to repair boats or sail with one arm, he took the
\nopportunity for a trip home. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnce I\u2019m in Texas I never know when I\u2019ll see my family
\nagain,\u201d he said with a chuckle. <\/p>\n
A father of two, his daughter is married to a rancher, and his son is
\nin his final year at university. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to be back in South Africa, it\u2019s the most
\nbeautiful country in the world,\u201d said De Villiers, who has been deaf
\nsince the age of seven, but lip-reads English and Afrikaans. <\/p>\n
He became deaf after suffering an allergic reaction to medication he
\nwas given for severe burns. <\/p>\n
Today he repairs and delivers both power and sail boats for a living
\nand his new career has led to him sailing the great American lakes of
\nErie, Huron and Michigan. He has even sailed the Mississippi River. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoing down the Mississippi River, I felt like Mark Twain,\u201d he
\nsaid. <\/p>\n
Between boat work, De Villiers has managed to start a rugby club with
\nSouth African expatriates and gives motivational speeches. <\/p>\n
No doubt he talks about his epic 2004 voyage in his 11.2m Tartan
\nyacht \u201cIsland Times\u201d, which he bought in September 2000. <\/p>\n
His amazing feat started in March 2004 when he sailed from Palacios,
\nin Texas. <\/p>\n
Seven months and 13 days later, he was welcomed back by 300 people,
\nincluding family members, at the same spot. <\/p>\n
His journey took him through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific
\nand Indian oceans. He overcame equipment failure, adverse weather
\nconditions, a near collision with a freighter, and even fell victim to
\na robbery on his yacht. <\/p>\n
Next week, he sets off for Gauteng and Limpopo to visit his brothers.
\n– By ASA SOKOPO <\/p>\n
Source: http:\/\/www.dispatch.co.za\/article.aspx?id=265090<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
BETTER IP RELAY – EVERYWHERE! i711.com makes all your relay calls better.
\nBetter web calls. Better wireless calls. Better AIM calls. Why settle for
\nordinary IP relay? Go beyond! Try http:\/\/www.i711.com for free today!<\/p>\n
NEW! Try out our Deaf Network of Texas Calendar! Go to
\nhttp:\/\/calendar.deafnetwork.com <\/p>\n
NOTE: deafnetwork.com does not endorse any of the products, vendors,
\nconsultants, or documentation referenced in this message or. Any mention of
\nvendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.<\/p>\n
Powered by http:\/\/www.CrazyWebHosting.com<\/p>\n
If you do not want to receive any more newsletters,
\nhttp:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/list\/?p=unsubscribe&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234<\/p>\n
To update your preferences and to unsubscribe visit
\nhttp:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/list\/?p=preferences&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234
\nForward a Message to Someone
\nhttp:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/list\/?p=forward&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234&mid=2668<\/p>\n
—
\nPowered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com —<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SA\u2019s famous \u2018silent voyager\u2019 back in EL 2008\/10\/31 FOUR years after travelling around the world alone, the \u201csilent voyager\u201d is back in the country of his birth, visiting his family in East London. Charl de Villiers, who has been based…<\/p>\n