Sailing as Therapy

 'Sailaday OK' by Richard Lannowe Hall

 I bought this book because I have met the author and was curious about his sailing therapy project.

 He explains it very well, referring to specific events, and writing vividly about it. 

There are also personal reflections and his own history of addiction which makes him so suited to working with others who need help to change their lives.

 He has shown that connections with nature and with other people are beneficial and that experiences also need to be voiced, heard and understood to make them meaningful. 

There are things I would like to be better defined in this book. For example there are rather vague references to ancient Celtic practices which I think are inevitably insecurely documented and largely imagined by inventive archaeologists and eager present day seekers of meaning. 

'Vision Quest ' is a term used without explanation.

 Richard Hall is clearly very involved with myths and ritual but doesn't refer to James Hillman who has written much on these ideas.

 He is open about the difficulties a therapist faces and the problems of funding his organisation ran into. 

The book ends without explaining exactly where Richard Hall stands re many issues or what direction his life is going in now.

 However overall I think it's a really interesting work about a very worthwhile outdoor therapy using sailing plus the workings of the group and the wisdom of the therapist.