In 2006, pre-marriage, pre-kids and 24 years old, we lived on and outfitted a 32’ cutter rigged Downeast 32’ named Gaviota in Santa Barbara harbor. Over the next two years we learned the ropes with proper ocean sailing, spending over two years zig-zagging across the Pacific to New Zealand. During that time, we learned how freeing and amazing a boat can be, how clean and connected to the ocean you can get, and also how to live off-grid and without. We were also lucky enough to travel with other sailing families and witness a world so vivid and connected, we vowed to take our kids someday.

 

Fast forward ten years and there we were. We had a normal life with two kids, two cars, two jobs, lots of stuff and a house. We realized life is too short to wait for your vision to appear. We knew we had to break it all down, make sacrifices, and go for it now. We had to take this time to be with our kids as much as possible, make changes in our lifestyle, our priorities and build something our family will never forget. This time around, we hope to pass this gratitude, resourcefulness, dedication and knowledge of our oceans down to our children.

~

             During our first trip we also were witness to our impacts on the ocean. Seeing the difference between pristine and damaged reefs is remarkable and it takes a level of disconnection from society to notice the depth and scope of our collective footprints. During this trip we hope to help facilitate marine research, education and conservation via sailboats. We live in an era where technology has developed so rapidly, we don’t need massive ships to collect valuable environmental data. Likewise, sailors are living on the front lines. These adventurous people cross oceans, explore the most remote areas on Earth and have the ability to contribute greatly to both communities and science.      

 

As we move, we aim to build a social and collaborative platform, able to coordinate and leverage multiple disciplines for increased research and conservation efforts in the Pacific and beyond. In able to do this, we will be sharing the beauty and complexity of our natural world with as many people as possible, reaching out to like-minded organizations, sailors and researchers. In general, we want to bring all ocean warriors, enthusiasts and protectors to the table. If you have similar goals and think we can help, get in touch. If you have a project or idea our platform or direction can utilize, get in touch. If you are surfer, sailor, diver, graduate student, researcher, or just an ocean lover, get in touch. These issues are large and it will take a team.

 

​