George Thomas just turned 96. This video might be 2 years old now, but it’s ageless, just like George!
Watch this video for inspiration and motivation… and NO excuses!
As a young mechanical engineer, George Thomas felt somewhat dissatisfied. His true passion and joy was sailing and he raced his sailboat every weekend possible. He sailed the same type of boat for many years, eventually traveled to compete in regattas, and often won!
George Thomas: thinking big
George took a giant leap of faith when he left the safety of his career to follow his passion for the world of sailing and it became his lifetime job. After George’s “retirement” (he sold the business to his employees), he has continued to stay connected to his passion working three days a week as a sailmaker.
George has created a legacy
He says, “Now it’s my turn to let them be MY boss.”
Things have changed considerably over the years George has been in the sailmaking industry. Fabrics have gone from Egyptian cotton to synthetics, and sailmakers have experimented with sails made of everything from nylons, Dacron, and acrylics to Kevlar, carbon fibers, and mylar films.
It’s considerably more high-tech than it used to be before computers. Previously, George designed sails on paper, then laid out the drawings on the floor, using a chalk outline. Sails are computer-designed now, then cut on a plotter cutter which rolls out the material and cuts the panels out. After that George puts them together with double-stick tape. It’s much less labor-intensive than it used to be.
George’s agility is astounding – for any age!
In the video, he shows off his grapevine step with ease and he still gets on his knees to work at times. George can get up and down from the floor as well as any youngster.
George showed me around the facility, casually stepping over tools and fabrics as he talked. When asked if he thought that these years of sailmaking kept him so spry, he said he also ice skated for many years and he believes that helped him, too. Additionally, he participates in my 45-minute Strength & Balance class twice a week, which keeps him active, quick-thinking, and responsive.
George is a poster child for aging gracefully, as he keeps up with technology, exercises his mind and body, and surrounds himself in positive communities.
Please wish George a happy birthday and share your thoughts in the comment box below…
Very inspiring and honorable to see George still living his passions to the fullest!
Thanks Kathryn, I saw this when it first posted, and it was so interesting to see someone doing this work. So glad to know he is celebrating 96 years now.
Sang Happy Birthday to you, in our class, with gusto and pleasure! I can attest to your quality sailmaking as you made sails for my Ensign in the 80/90’s . Found your interview so interesting
and loved the pictures of you racing.
See you in class!