People who own their own sailboat sometimes describe sailing as, “Like standing in the shower ripping up money.” The point being, not only is a sailboat an expensive item to buy, but sailing is a prohibitively expensive hobby to take part in. Which is unfortunate because the earth’s oceans, lakes, and breezes are accessible to everyone and, really, we all ought to be able to enjoy them.
That’s the guiding principle behind an organization called Community Sailing New Orleans. Community Sailing owns a fleet of 50 boats and uses them to give lessons and make sailing accessible to young people whose economic background would typically preclude them from even considering going sailing.
Jacob Raymond, creating a pathway from the inner city to the middle of the lake, ocean, and possibly an unimagined career and life
Community Sailing also has relationships with high school and college sailing clubs, and stages group outings and summer camps. The organization is based at Lake Pontchartrain. They have 3 full time employees, around 15 sailing coaches, and the Executive Director of the operation is Jacob Raymond.
When you have a certain number of boats, their collective noun is no longer “fleet” but becomes “Navy.” Typically, a navy is a branch of a country’s armed forces that is responsible for conducting military operations at sea. But, as is so often the case, it’s different in Louisiana. Here, we have a navy that swings into action after a water-driven disaster. It’s The Cajun Navy, a more-or-less ad-hoc collection of boat owners who band together to rescue people trapped by floodwaters.
Beyond that waterborne force, there’s an allied but separate civilian rescue and recovery force, called The Cajun Navy Ground Force. The founder and CEO of the Cajun Navy Ground Force is Rob Gaudet.
Rob Gaudet, leads the Cajun Navy Ground Force who stay behind on land after the water rescue is over and the water recedes
The description “Ordinary people doing extraordinary things” refers to individuals who, despite not having any special advantages or resources, are able to achieve remarkable accomplishments through their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. These people are often motivated by a strong desire to make a positive impact on their communities, and are willing to take risks and overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Famous examples include Mahatma Gandhi, who led India to independence through nonviolent resistance; and Rosa Parks, whose dignified defiance helped spark the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things are not always famous, or looking to be. But when we have an opportunity, it’s nice to recognize them. Jacob Raymond and Rob Gaudet are definitely both in this category.
Peter Ricchiuti, Rob Gaudet, Jacob Raymond, Out to Lunch at NOLA Brewing
Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at NOLA Pizza in the NOLA Brewing Taproom. Photos by Jill Lafleur.
