Adventure sailor Thomas Veber visits us at Metstrade
What can a small five-meter boat from the 70s teach us about making your dreams come true? And what happens when the latest technology breaks down in the middle of the ocean? Adventure sailor, author and lecturer Thomas Veber has accumulated experience from 40,000 nautical miles. At the Metstrade fair in Amsterdam, he will share his lessons learned at the ROCA Industry stand.
Thomas Veber has a background as an IT manager, but today boating has become his profession. Through books and lectures, he inspires boat owners - and those who want to become one - to go out and experience more. He recently released a book in Danish about the Swedish archipelago, which will soon also be available in Swedish.
During Metstrade, he will share his experiences from life at sea. There will be three short lectures of about 15 minutes each, with both humor and seriousness.
“I promise high energy and a lot of humor. I don’t expect everyone to go on extreme sailing trips, but there is a lot to learn from such experiences. Things that you can take with you to other parts of life as well,” says Thomas.
During Metstrade, he will share his experiences from life at sea. There will be three short lectures of about 15 minutes each, with both humor and seriousness.
“I promise high energy and a lot of humor. I don’t expect everyone to go on extreme sailing trips, but there is a lot to learn from such experiences. Things that you can take with you to other parts of life as well,” says Thomas.
From the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean in a five-meter boat
One of Thomas' more unusual sailing adventures began with a dream of getting from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean via Europe's rivers and canals. The solution was not some advanced long-distance boat, but a five-meter boat from the 1970s, equipped with an outboard motor.
"It was definitely not the perfect boat for sailing across Europe. Many said it was a bad idea and that it wouldn't work. But when you have an idea or a dream, you have to go for it."
The trip also proved that the best solution doesn't always have to be the most expensive or the most advanced.
"It was actually much easier to sail in a small boat. Sometimes you just have to make things simple to get them done at all."
This is the starting point for his first talk, "How small can a boat be before it's a stupid idea?", where Thomas shares small and big events from this unusual journey.
"It was definitely not the perfect boat for sailing across Europe. Many said it was a bad idea and that it wouldn't work. But when you have an idea or a dream, you have to go for it."
The trip also proved that the best solution doesn't always have to be the most expensive or the most advanced.
"It was actually much easier to sail in a small boat. Sometimes you just have to make things simple to get them done at all."
This is the starting point for his first talk, "How small can a boat be before it's a stupid idea?", where Thomas shares small and big events from this unusual journey.
When the warranty doesn't help in the middle of the ocean
In his second talk, "What 40,000 nautical miles taught me about boats", Thomas focuses on the equipment on board and the lessons that arise when you spend a long time at sea.
Thomas points out that no matter how modern and advanced a product is, it matters less if it stops working when you are far from the nearest port.
"You can have brand new equipment on the boat, but if it breaks, it's still new. You can call customer support via satellite phone and you may have a warranty on the product, but that won't help when you are out at sea and it's far from the nearest service workshop."
That's why the talk is very much about foresight, planning and the importance of always having a plan B.
"You have to think through every step. If this happens, what do I do then? And if it doesn't work, what do I do instead?"
For professional visitors to the fair, not least designers, product developers and boat manufacturers, Thomas' experiences can provide a valuable perspective on how products actually work in practice.
"They will get a story about what it's really like. Companies may have advanced test laboratories where they test their products, but not many have tested them over 40,000 nautical miles."
Thomas points out that no matter how modern and advanced a product is, it matters less if it stops working when you are far from the nearest port.
"You can have brand new equipment on the boat, but if it breaks, it's still new. You can call customer support via satellite phone and you may have a warranty on the product, but that won't help when you are out at sea and it's far from the nearest service workshop."
That's why the talk is very much about foresight, planning and the importance of always having a plan B.
"You have to think through every step. If this happens, what do I do then? And if it doesn't work, what do I do instead?"
For professional visitors to the fair, not least designers, product developers and boat manufacturers, Thomas' experiences can provide a valuable perspective on how products actually work in practice.
"They will get a story about what it's really like. Companies may have advanced test laboratories where they test their products, but not many have tested them over 40,000 nautical miles."
The freedom to make your own decisions
For Thomas, life at sea is not just a way of traveling. It's about freedom, responsibility and immediately experiencing the consequences of your decisions.
"When you're at sea, the results come immediately. If you pull a rope, something happens. If you are anchored in a bay and it starts to blow, you can move the boat and it will immediately get better. A very big contrast to how we live our lives as white-collar workers."
That is also the type of experience he wants to convey from the stage. And he does not shy away from talking about things that have gone less well.
"Some who have hired me as a lecturer have described it as more of a show than a lecture. That I talk from a very personal perspective and that I dare to share both my successes and my mistakes."
"When you're at sea, the results come immediately. If you pull a rope, something happens. If you are anchored in a bay and it starts to blow, you can move the boat and it will immediately get better. A very big contrast to how we live our lives as white-collar workers."
That is also the type of experience he wants to convey from the stage. And he does not shy away from talking about things that have gone less well.
"Some who have hired me as a lecturer have described it as more of a show than a lecture. That I talk from a very personal perspective and that I dare to share both my successes and my mistakes."
Looks forward to meeting the industry's problem solvers
In addition to being on stage, Thomas is looking forward to meeting people who work professionally with boats and marine technology.
"I look forward to talking to people who have a professional view of boating and who see opportunities. There is nothing more satisfying than having a problem and then managing to solve it."
And problem solving, technical challenges and real-life experiences are what visitors can expect when Thomas takes the stage at ROCA Industry's booth.
"I look forward to talking to people who have a professional view of boating and who see opportunities. There is nothing more satisfying than having a problem and then managing to solve it."
And problem solving, technical challenges and real-life experiences are what visitors can expect when Thomas takes the stage at ROCA Industry's booth.
Meet Thomas Veber at stand 01.773 at Metstrade!
We welcome Thomas Veber to ROCA Industry's stand 01.773 at Metstrade in Amsterdam. Take the chance to gain new perspectives on boating and perhaps some lessons to take home to your own business – and not least a good laugh.
- Wednesday, November 18 at 11:00 and 14:00 How small can a boat be before it's a stupid idea?
- Thursday, November 19 at 11.00 What 40,000 nautical miles taught me about boats
Welcome to stand 01.773! The lectures are held in English, last approximately 15 minutes each and offer both humor, adventure and practical experiences from a life at sea. Don't miss the chance to meet Thomas and hear his stories on site!
