The
Luck of the Irish…Sailors and Surfers
Sunny
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On St. Patrick’s Day – when everyone’s Irish – the pubs will be filled with people wishing each other “the luck of the
Irish” as they toast the day, celebrating with green beer, Irish stew and
corned beef and cabbage.
The Irish aren’t the only ones who are lucky, though. Sailors
and surfers rely on good luck, too, hoping for gusting winds and killer waves.
From ancient times when Phoenician sailors traveled the
Mediterranean Sea trading their purple-dyed fabrics to the early Hawaiian surfers
challenging giant waves on long boards, much has been done by mariners to
ensure good luck.
To bring good luck to you during this time for the
wearing o’ the green, SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel have
gathered these time-tested good luck traditions and charms used by sailors and
surfers just for you.
In Hawaii leis are traditionally thrown into the ocean
for good luck whenever a sailor leaves. If the lei comes back to shore, it’s
thought that the sailor will safely return.
Hawaiian fishermen believe that lucky fish hooks can
ensure a good catch.
Island sailors and surfers wear the peridot, a green
volcanic gem called “Pele’s Tears” after the volcano goddess, to guard against evil
spirits.
They also wear tiki god charms for good luck and believe
that these will give them clarity of thought and great inner knowledge.
Since the 1960s surfers around the world have worn medals
with the image of St. Christopher, the Patron Saint of Travelers, for good luck
and to keep themselves safe.
Counting waves can improve your luck, too. Many surfers believe that the third wave of a set is best and the ninth wave of the ninth set is the best of all.
And, when you’re
ready to come ashore, never paddle in; always catch a wave and ride the whitewater
in. That will set you up for good waves the next time.
Some other good luck sailing traditions that SurfWriter
Girls discovered include when you board a boat be sure to step on deck with
your right foot first.
Don’t whistle on board for fear of whistling up a storm.
Throw some coins in the sea to show your good will and
gratefulness for the bounty that the sea offers.
Also make sure
that all buckets on the ship are right side up; upside down buckets signify a
sinking ship. If you have a good fishing day, wear the same clothes unwashed
the next day. You don’t want to wash your luck away.
While black cats are usually considered unlucky, Irish
and British sailors feel the opposite and often adopt black “ship’s cats” for
good luck, tasking them with the job of keeping rodents at bay. Blackie, an illustrious
ship’s cat during WW II, served on the HMS Prince of Wales and even had the
distinction of meeting Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Some sailors think that polydactyl cats – cats with extra
toes – bring additional luck. Author Ernest Hemingway must have thought the
same thing since the cats at his home in Key West, Florida, all had extra
toes…and the cats living there now – the cats’ descendants – do as well.
So, on this St. Patrick’s Day, if you’re toasting “the luck
of the Irish” at O’Malleys, Hennessey’s, Clancy’s, or The Irisher
pubs on Main Street in Old Town Seal Beach, remember to toast the luck of the
sailors and surfers, too.
As they say in
Ireland, “May you always have the wind at your back” – whether you’re setting
sail on a sunny day or waiting at the lineup for the next set of waves to
break.
And, if a black
cat crosses your path, consider yourself lucky!
SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti offer this Irish toast
to you:
May good luck be your friend in whatever you do
And may trouble always be a stranger to you.
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