You think you’re obsessed with sailing?

Gordon Baird starting sailing late in life, and made a vow 33 years ago in May 1987 at 37 years old that he would sail every day until hitting 10,000 sails for a personal crash course in Gloucester, MA.

“It’s like playing the guitar,” explained Baird. “You only can get better by practicing every single day.”

So off he went, through snow, ice, rain, ridiculous winds, frozen harbors, a ton of racing and a cranky Coast Guard regiment that wished he wouldn’t. Mostly in a Sunfish and survival suit in winter but also in an International 210 and finally a Tripp 37 in warmer weather.

Now 70, he hit his 10,000th sail on November 1, 2020, which adds up to be about 300 outings a year. Baird says his race partner, the legendary Mark Lindsay, was his greatest influence and inspires him to just keep going every day beyond his vow.

“There’s a lot of up-and-coming racers, kids, etc. Gotta stay ahead of them,” notes Baird.