Besides his success in short-handed racing, Bruce is a respected yacht rigger with Svendsens Marine, one of the most well known and popular West Coast marine establishments. Bruce has 19 years of experience working with the best manufacturers of marine equipment from all over the world.
Bruce Schwab speaks:
1) The background of marketing and promotion of marine products and working with former supporters gives me a great awareness of the responsibility of presenting a respectable image for a sponsor. I have also been able to exercise my public skills as a speaker and writer via lectures on rigging and sailing on a regular basis in the Bay Area, including being a guest speaker at Sail Expo and other venues. I have greatly enjoyed writing while at sea (via e-mail) to pass on my adventures to those who want to know what it is like out there. With the advent of the Internet and uplink satellite technology, communicating using voice, video, and data brings the reality of live updates from the boat, anywhere in the world. I recognize that the ability to report and present live updates will be an important part of attaining maximum media exposure on the Internet such as the Quokka Sports web site as well as television coverage.
2) I work daily with the layout and design of rigging systems, especially for short-handed sailing. Along with my understanding of yacht design, I am in a unique position to work with others to produce a superior design concept for a boat optimized to race around the world.
Budgeting for customers on large scale rigging projects has given Svendsens Marine and myself the ability to estimate the real costs involved with the design, construction and campaign of this project.
3) As a competent and competitive short-handed sailor, I have been successful in the organization and preparation of a racing yacht for ocean racing. I have studied for years and have put into practice the tactical, navigational, and meteorological skills that I will need to survive and be competitive. As part of the complete preparation program, I know I will need to budget the time to prepare myself even more for this next level of competition.
Well-known professional Navigator Mark Rudiger has this to say about Bruce:
If I were to pick a skipper for a Singlehanded race around the world (beside myself), I would say that Bruce Schwab would be tough to beat. He has a well-rounded background as a competitor and in preparation for short-handed ocean racing. Bruce is always thinking up new clever ways to enhance performance. He is a quick learner and has the patience needed for offshore competition. His experience and contacts within the marine industry will also serve him well. If I were racing against him, I would consider him a formidable competitor!
Popular Californian Yacht Designer Tom Wylie says:Having worked with Bruce for many years, I’ve had the chance to observe his skills in preparing for and winning many single and doublehanded events. He will be an excellent skipper for this kind of race. I'm designing a boat to win, and Bruce Schwab is my top pick to sail it!