A decade ago (yes, I talk in decades now 😅) I was walking the docks, trying my luck to get a sailboat ride to the Caribbean.
The dream: sail the world.
The next logical step (what was I thinking): sail the Atlantic Ocean!
I found a boat.
Left that boat. Best decision ever to date (Read the stories in Ocean Nomad)
Found another one.
That boat and captain went on to sail around the world over the next decade. And so did I, but in a different way. Last week, we crossed seas again! Same port. Las Palmas. Full circle moment! Literally.
My first Atlantic crossing was happy, safe, and unforgettable. It tasted for more.
Since then, I’ve crossed the Atlantic 5 times, logged around 50,000 nautical miles, and sailed on more than fifty different boats, in every continent.
Here's what it taught me.
1) Simple things are everything
Water. Power. Fresh fruit. Sleep. A cup of tea that doesn’t fall over.
Becoming super aware of the preciousness of resources, rewires your gratitude forever. Equalling happiness. And health!
2) The world is wildly beautiful. And polluted.
Dolphins mid-Atlantic. Whales. Pristine reefs, flight free night skies, and remote coastlines.
And plastic in the most isolated places. Fishing fleets. Dead zones.
Seeing this with my own eyes turned me into an ocean advocate for life.
3) Belief and confidence is built through experience
I realised I can actually do this! Live this. It’s a skillset build over time. Thanks to putting myself out there. I dreamt it, did it, and even became a qualified captain.
It wasn’t only sailing that taught me this.
Thru-hiking did too. Different terrain. Similar lessons. And growth.
Carry what you need. Move slowly. Listen to weather and feelings. Lose track of the days. Life gets clearer when you simplify and move with nature. And confidence grows.
I was lucky to have a strong mentor in hiking and wildcamping. My partner Jonatan, who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail, pulled me into that wild world (Our first date was a long-distance hike LOL).
With sailing, I learned mostly through trial and error. And spending many years jumping between boats. Learning in a rather rough and tough way.
If there’s one thing I wish I’d had earlier, it’s guidance and a value sharing network to safely live these wild (ocean) adventures, with positive impact, and community, wherever we wander. It’s wild out there. I’ve seen a lot. And I’m still seeing way to many sad and struggle stories from (aspiring) sailors who didn’t get lucky with a happy and safe ocean adventure, or with buying their boat. Draining lots of money but above all the dreams.
I couldn't find the eco adventure support tribe in the sailing world. So I created it with Ocean Nomads. Ocean Nomads is not just me anymore. It's by and for those living differently, with nature. Members are sharing, caring, networking and connecting amongst each other.
A few times per year we organize wild ocean adventures! Life changing for many who joined us. These are not just trips. It's an entry point + acceleration zone into a nature-led lifestyle. With fun, safety and purpose.
This year. Not a decade from now.
Ocean sailing, island exploration, learn by doing, sailing skills (from our seasoned instructor/expedition vessel owner Thomas), workshopping, hiking (get mentored by Jonatan), citizen science, and networking with others determined to live life large, with impact and community.
With a big dose of fun & guidance, so you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
A powerful shortcut + acceleration zone into a wilder way of living.
THE most powerful.
Or come say hi in our adventure impact community to dip your toes into wilder ways of life.
