Saltwater Journal

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 [https://www.instagram.com/fromsnowtosail/#rel-nofollow] YouTube: All About Spray [https://www.youtube.com/@AllAboutSpray#rel-nofollow] Connect with Saltwater Journal:⁠ ⁠@saltwater_journal⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_journal/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast] 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

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 [https://www.instagram.com/rhonda.of.triteia/] @love_grub_galley [https://www.instagram.com/love_grub_galley] & @james.the.sailor.man [https://www.instagram.com/james.the.sailor.man/] Youtube @LoveGrubGalley [https://www.youtube.com/@LoveGrubGalley]& @SailorJames [https://youtube.com/@sailorjames] Connect with Saltwater Journal ⁠@saltwater_journal⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_journal/] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast] 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

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: ⁠ [https://docedge.nz/] Instagram @piphareoceanracing [https://www.instagram.com/piphareoceanracing/#rel-nofollow] Facebook Pip Hare Ocean Racing [https://www.facebook.com/PipHareOceanRacing/#rel-nofollow] X Pip Ocean Racing [https://x.com/pipoceanracing/#rel-nofollow] LinkedIn Pip Hare [http://www.linkedin.com/in/pip-hare-87901617/#rel-nofollow] Sponsorship Pip Hare Ocean Racing [https://www.piphare.com/howtogetinvolved/#rel-nofollow] Connect with Saltwater Journal ⁠@saltwater_journal⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_journal/] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal [https://www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast] 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

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  [https://www.instagram.com/brittjayspencer/] Youtube @brittjayspencer [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHG0hPq3-fClHpeH7lkR63w]  Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal [https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_journal/] Website: ⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠⁠ [https://www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast] 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

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 [https://www.youtube.com/paddleadventurer] Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal Website: ⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠ [https://www.saltwaterjournal.life/podcast] 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