If you're dreaming of travel and you want inspiration and motivation to try something new on the ocean – this is the place to be! Hosted by Tara Cooney from Sal...
Embracing the Unknown: Kayleen VanderRee on Sailing, Anxiety, and the Race to Alaska
Kayleen VanderRee is a commercial diver by trade and has spent most of her adult life pursuing her love of sailing.
Hailing from British Columbia, we talk about her diving work, what she’s learnt from being captain of her own sailboat, and her personal experiences dealing with frustrations, overwhelm and anxiety in sailing.
Get set for some great adventure stories too. Kayleen sailed her 42’ sailboat to Mexico and back via the Clipper Route, which took 44 days. Most recently she attempted the Race to Alaska with a friend in her Santana 20’ yacht, and shares what it’s really like trying to navigate a treacherous 750nm race from Washington to Alaska, in a non-motorized boat.
To cap off her adventures, we hear about her experience with her partner, taking out second place in The Amazing Race Canada.
In amongst this, Kayleen shares the encouragement she received from her Dad – her greatest sailing mentor, and some of his best life advice.
Join us and be inspired in your own adventures.
Connect via Instagram: @fromsnowtosail
YouTube: All About Spray
Connect with Saltwater Journal: @saltwater_journal
Website: Saltwater Journal
EPISODE NOTES | Kayleen
01:20 Commercial diving
05:40 Mentors
07:11 Sailing with Dad
08:45 Approaching boat jobs
09:22 Owning and maintaining her own boat
11:19 Figuring it out when things go wrong
13:40 Solo-sailing
14:42 Offshore with Dad
15:30 Sailing from childhood
17:19 Rock climbing
17:56 Current boat
18:50 The Race to Alaska
22:48 Challenges on the race
26:06 The Amazing Race Canada
29:55 Slow is smooth, smooth is fast
33:48 A break from racing
35:19 Giving it a go
37:18 Where to start with mechanics and electrics
38:47 Crossing the continental shelf
40:00 Raw vlogs on YouTube
41:04 Anxiety with sailing
44:22 Strategies for anxiety
46:22 Great advice from Dad
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48:44
Rhonda: Taking a Chance on Love, Sailing & Adventure
Seven months ago, Rhonda sold everything, ditched land-life, and flew to Sydney to meet up with James and move aboard Triteia — a 30ft (9 meter) 1965 Alberg 30 sailboat.
Rhonda’s now covered more than 1800NM cruising up the east coast of Australia, she’s visited 85 anchorages so far, and is currently preparing to sail to South East Asia, and onwards.
In this episode I talk with Rhonda about how she came to live on the water cruising full-time with James, with one of the best love stories you’ll hear!
We talk about jumping in the deep end to start a new life on the ocean, all the while sharing the journey on YouTube with thousands of followers around the globe.
Rhonda also shares her experience fitting out her own van and solo-travelling for nine months exploring Aotearoa, New Zealand.
If you’ve ever thought about trying van life or dreamed of sailing the world, this episode is for you. Rhonda shares about the realities and personal challenges that come with cruising full-time and living in a tiny space but also her joys on the journey, and encouragement for anyone seeking a life less ordinary.
Connect via Instagram @rhonda.of.triteia @love_grub_galley & @james.the.sailor.man
Youtube @LoveGrubGalley & @SailorJames
Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal
Website: Saltwater Journal
EPISODE NOTES | Rhonda
1:41 Meeting James & SV Triteia
10:45 Saying yes to staying
13:07 A big adjustment
16:16 Reality vs perception
16:49 An intro to 9m Triteia
18:36 Challenges of boat life
20:43 Cooking in a small space
21:26 Being adaptable & creative
24:45 Alternative living & vanlife
26:41 Kitting out the van
28:53 Van life vs boat life
31:33 Home on the ocean
34:55 Nature and travel
37:22 Sailing in NZ & overseas
43:40 Swimming with sharks
45:17 Proud moments
50:54 Learning styles
51:46 Working together
52:27 Imposter syndrome
56:14 Just give it a go
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58:31
Pip Hare: For the Love of Sailing and the Vendée Globe
Pip Hare is a world-class single-handed offshore sailor, CEO of Pip Hare Ocean Racing, and one of the most inspiring sailors to follow in the Vendée Globe.
Pip is only the 8th woman to have ever completed the Vendée Globe – a gruelling solo, non-stop, non-assisted, round the world race which takes place every four years. In 2020, her incredible skill and unrelenting endurance saw her successfully finish in just 95 days. Now she’s back with a new and faster boat, to take on a second Vendee Globe race in November 2024.
Listen in as Pip shares candidly about her sailing journey from living aboard to carving her own path as a professional sailor, now the skipper and CEO of Pip Hare Ocean Racing. Currently in the final stages of prepping her boat Medallia ready to race, you’ll hear about her love of sailing, insights into the Vendée Globe, her strategy, and the technology onboard her IMOCA 60.
Pip is one of the skillful and inspirational athletes in sailing and you’ll hear why I believe she’s one of the most relatable and enjoyable for us to follow and support.
Connect and Sponsor:
Instagram @piphareoceanracingFacebook Pip Hare Ocean RacingX Pip Ocean RacingLinkedIn Pip HareSponsorship Pip Hare Ocean Racing
Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal
Website: Saltwater Journal
Episode Notes | Pip Hare
1:44 Medallia refit
3:15 Speed
4:40 Diversity in sailing
5:33 Living aboard
8:12 Introduction to solo sailing
11:11 Carving a career path
14:50 Making it happen
16:00 Getting a seat at the table
20:56 An even playing field
23:33 Sailing in the southern ocean
24:50 Southern ocean weather systems
27:17 Foiling conditions
30:31 Noise onboard
33:00 Being alone at sea
36:29 Love of sailing
37:00 Sailing conditions
39:37 Relatable content
42:00 Social media & sharing race content
45:40 Creating a community
49:00 Competition in the Vendée
50:37 Competitor contact during the race
51:51 Strategy going into 2024 Vendée
53:35 Food and treats
55:18 Pip’s book & how to support
56:52 Final race prep
TECHNOLOGY CHAT
58:40 How the foils work
01:00:16 Canted keel, foils and lift
01:02:22 Winches
01:02:49 Autopilot & data points
01:08:15 Mast
01:08:44 Forward facing sonar & AI
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1:13:07
Britt Spencer: Conquering Cook Strait & Paddling for Life
Britt Spencer set a world record as the first New Zealander and female to cross the notorious Cook Strait on a prone paddle board.
In this episode I talk with Kiwi volunteer surf lifesaver Britt Spencer about endurance paddling, and crossing Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. After battling serious health issues and a year planning and training, the Nelson based Strength & Conditioning Coach made history with the crossing in April this year.
Get set for this one – Britt is inspiring! She talks about adapting to things that go wrong in adventure, how she copes in extreme moments of pain and challenge, in what she calls ‘Dark Mode’. We hear about her joy of being out on the water, what motivates her and the surprising food and drink she fuels her endurance paddles with.
Britt’s energy is infectious, and so is her fresh outlook on life.
Join us and be inspired to challenge your own limits.
Connect via Instagram @brittjayspencer
Youtube @brittjayspencer
Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal
Website: Saltwater Journal
EPISODE NOTES | Britt
00:56 Life in Nelson
02:30 Competitive swimming
03:25 Introduction to Surf Lifesaving
06:27 Board chat
08:50 Long distance paddling
10:30 First endurance paddle
12:15 Dark mode
14:53 Injury and pulmonary embolism
22:02 Crossing Cook Strait
25:00 Weather conditions
30:00 Setting off
35:24 Support crew
38:00 Great White sharks
40:30 Surprise fuel
42:45 Hitting the wall
45:33 Best team
47:35 Land
51:40 Celebrations
54:03 Paddle X documentary
56:00 Give it a go
59:59 Future plans
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1:03:04
Closer to Nature with Marybeth, Paddle Adventurer
Marybeth is a Canadian Youtube and content creator taking us on outdoor, travel and paddle “advenchas”.
I'm stoked to catch up with Marybeth to chat about her love of paddling, travel, wildlife encounters, and her super entertaining videos to motivate us to get outdoors.
Listen in for beginner advice on how to choose the right paddleboard for stability, tips for balance, and staying safe on the water. And if you’re hesitant to try a SUP or you’re embarrassed to fall in – we’ve got some encouragement for you!
Marybeth shares about her life by the Great Lakes in Ontario and going on backcountry adventures. We chat about paddling with huge ‘gators, and the joy of stalking beavers in her hometown backyard known as Coote’s paradise.
She also gives insights into her journey as a Youtube creator and her mission to encourage more play in life.
Connect via Instagram @paddleadventurer
and watch Paddle Adventurer on YouTube
Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal
Website: Saltwater Journal
EPISODE NOTES | Marybeth
1:06 Hometown
1:34 Journey into paddling
3:52 Choosing the best paddle board
5:53 Size and stability
6:57 Do it your way
8:32 Backcountry portaging
14:00 Pumping inflatables
16:46 Florida alligators
18:41 Marybeth’s mission
20:27 Backyard paddling
22:09 Beavers
23:56 Life in the outdoors
25:42 YouTube journey
29:00 Beginner advice
31:32 Winter paddling
35:00 Tips for balance
38:07 Moose
39:00 Future adventures
39:44 Magic of paddling
If you're dreaming of travel and you want inspiration and motivation to try something new on the ocean – this is the place to be! Hosted by Tara Cooney from Saltwater Journal, we talk to people who've created a life they love on the water. From dinghy sailing and cruising, to ocean racing, paddleboarding and travelling the world on superyachts – people like us are out there having all kinds of epic adventures.
Find out how they do it, what makes them tick, challenges they’ve overcome and how you can dip your toes in and try it too!
See more at www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast