SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Sailing around the world has been a lifelong dream for Alan Mulholland.
It’s taken more than a year to build, plan and chart the course that’s expected to take around two-years to complete, but early Sunday morning, as Summerside’s landscape slipped from sight, the dream was finally in motion.
Glenda even purchased a heavy-duty industrial sewing machine to stitch the sails and flags.“I’m excited for Alan because he’s finally getting to go on his big adventure that he’s dreamed about for a very long time. It’s been a lot of work getting ready for it, but it’s all worth it because he’s finally on his way,” said Alan’s wife, Glenda, who helped every step of the way.
“It started as just a shell, and it’s amazing to see the (25.5-foot) sailboat named Wave Rover now,” she said as Alan departed Summerside Harbour to catch the high tide shortly after 6 a.m.
For the first leg of the journey, Alan is joined by close friend Darren Bulger. The two are bound for Port Hawkesbury, N.S. where they will meet up with Glenda and Darren’s wife Debbie on Monday, before Alan departs solo Tuesday morning on a three-week voyage to the Azores.
“I’m very excited to be a part of this and thankful for the friendship that we have. It’s very exciting Darren is able to be with Alan on a part of his epic adventure and see him off,” said Debbie, who gathered with a group that included former Summerside mayor Bill Martin, to wish Alan well.
“This will be the longest trip on a sailboat I’ve ever done, about 30 hours to Port Hawkesbury. I’ve done some sailing just in and out of the harbour, but I’m excited to be a part of Alan’s journey,” said Darren, who has sailed for 10 years with Summerside’s Silver Fox Yacht Club.
The sailboat rolled and creaked as it sliced through the choppy waters near Indian Head lighthouse, but the start of a new voyage is an unfolding process of self-discovery.
“There are so many things going through my mind right now,” said Mulholland. “I want to make sure I have everything right on the sailboat, but that’s what the next 30 hours are for to Port Hawkesbury. It’s about testing the rig overnight, and with Darren on board he can steer while I go around and make any adjustments because it’s important to shake everything out.”
Before the sun had even risen, Mulholland was making the final preparations at 5 a.m.
Greg and Dawna Bowles sailed beside Wave Rover to Indian Head lighthouse, before it disappeared over the horizon.
“Sailing is about the peacefulness and the tranquillity. You’re on your own and it’s the wind that powers your vessel and the beauty of watching the sunrise over the horizon and the sun go down at night while the moon rises,” said Greg, who has sailed for more than 30 years.
“I was out sailing the other night with friends and thinking, 'Who needs a big television screen when you can just look up at the Milky Way and watch the stars with no light pollution?' It’s fantastic."
Mulholland said he’s “excited for his adventure” and well prepared, thanks to Glenda.
“I have enough food for about nine months or so because Glenda pressure-canned a whole bunch of stews and things, so even if the (sailing) mask falls off and I’m floating in the ocean I won’t starve to death,” he said.
