BOAT International Subscriptions

I grew up in Australia where the mantra of “slip, slop, slap” was drilled into me from a young age – slip on a T-shirt, slop on some suncream, slap on a hat. This early programming has led to a lifelong fear of the sun (although a Scottish complexion doesn’t help). I mention this because our very own Eddie Jordan recently had a health scare when a dodgy mole was spotted on the back of his leg. Eddie grew up in an age when it was more tanning oil than total block, but I’m very happy to say he’s had the all-clear – and helped justify my years of obsessive sunscreening. Eddie’s hard-learned message to look after yourself dovetails nicely with one of our big themes this month: wellness. Today’s yacht owner is more health-obsessed than ever, and boats are transforming accordingly. See our cover star’s enviable spa area and sundeck gym for evidence. Designers are being challenged like never before to answer this call. Laura Pomponi from Luxury Projects tells of one client who wants their guests on a future 74-metre project to be welcomed on board and checked in at a spa-like reception, with various juices and, presumably, whale song. I’d still rather have a cocktail shoved into my hand, but maybe I’m getting old. For me, I’ll end with a simple message borrowed from Baz Luhrmann’s oddly hypnotic Everybody’s Free: “If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.” Happy New Year, everyone, and stay healthy.

Stewart Campbell
Editor-in-chief

Subscribe to BOAT International Magazine