Antibes. The Mecca of Yachting in Europe.

When I arrived there, I knew nothing. I was coming off my season in Switzerland; a friend had told me, "Go see the agency in Cannes." But before Cannes, there was Antibes.

The Shock of the Billionaires' Quay

I remember my first walk along the Billionaires' Quay.

I saw those white monsters lined up. I saw crews polishing stainless steel that already gleamed. I saw kids my age running with provisions, laughing, and heading back out on gleaming tenders.

I felt tiny. And at the same time, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

The First Night at the Blue Lady

That evening, I ended up at the Blue Lady—the legendary yachties' bar back then.

It was packed to the brim. You could hear English, Afrikaans, Kiwi accents. They were flashing wads of cash, swapping stories of Atlantic crossings.

Me, the little "Greenie" (the rookie), I just drank my beers and listened.

That's when I understood one thing: here, it's not what you've done before that matters. It's what you're willing to do right now.

Meeting the Sailor

Shortly after—once I'd boarded my first 26m—my deckhand took me for drinks at the "Fishermen's Bar."

Bad idea.

I came back with a pounding headache. Next morning? We were setting sail.

First voyage, first hangover, first bout of seasickness. I thought I was going to die. I told myself, "It's over—I'm quitting this stupid job."

Fortunately, I didn't quit. And that sailor became a lifelong friend—now a Captain in the USA.

The lesson for you:

Which just goes to show: it all often starts with a disaster in Antibes.