Getting sailing experience
Ahoy! I am Laura, originally from Spain but I live in Northern California. I’m currently in French Polynesia for about 2 weeks having my first real sailing experience in a 58ft catamaran. I’ll be arriving in Fiji at the beginning of March and maybe I’ll stay sailing to Australia after. Regardless, I’d love to continue sailing and get more experience in different boats.
I’ve always felt a strong attraction to the Sea and the idea to get to remote and little places as islands are. I’m not looking to cross an ocean (at least not yet) I just want to learn how to use the Sea, the breeze, the wind, the weather… as those are things that Mother Earth gives us for free for us to use, to enjoy, to learn. That's what I think sailing is: USE THE NATURE (in a good way, of course)
About me:
Five years ago I quit my job as a graphic designer in a marketing company and I left the city of Barcelona to travel the Americas. Since then, I’ve been traveling around the US, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. Always avoiding big cities and focusing on nature.
I've been living in the mountains of Northern California for about two years, living basically off-grid. I learned to appreciate everything Nature supplies, I've learned to grow vegetables and plants, take care of animals and wildlife... no power, not much cell phone service or internet...
About my sailing experience:
I had my first experience with sailboats 3 years ago in the Caribbean Sea, specifically in Bocas del Toro, Panamá. We stayed anchored most of the time, I was helping with anything on the boat and sometimes, some of local day sailing. Then we sailed around the archipelago and the further islands for a week. After that, all I wanted to do was sailing. Unfortunately the pandemic started and changed all my plans and I ended up living in the mountains without any chance to get on a boat. After 2 years, I feel it is time to go back to my original plan of learn to sail!
So, in February I got in a plane and I came to French Polynesia to sail to Fiji and get more recent experience. After this adventure I’d love to join another one!
I know I have barely any sailing experience but I learn fast and I can help with a lot of things.
I’m a good cook, Spanish food is my best but I like to cook Asian style as well and I can make wonderful dishes from scratch.
I’m also very organized and I know how to clean very well. I'm used to living in tiny places such as a van/car/trailer or a cabin so I'm aware of how important tidiness is.
I’m also a handy person and I like to fix things myself.
I love animals (especially dogs) so if you have a pet onboard I will be very happy to look after it.
Every time I see more blogs and social media about sailing so if you have a channel or want to start one I can be your photography/video and graphic content creator. Something useful of being a graphic designer.
I speak fluent English and Spanish.
I'm looking to get into the boats world and gain experience in sailing. I’m planing to enroll in a RYA Practical Course (I’m currently studying the Competent crew book) so complementary daily work as a deckhand in a seasonal job to get used to boats and the vocabulary would be great for me. If you enjoy teaching and you are willing to have a novice crew in your boat for some local sailing I would love to meet you!
I will be very grateful for the opportunity!
PS: I’ll come back to California at some point after this adventure. I have my partner and a family of dogs. So, lonely sailors please abstain from looking for something else than share nautical knowledge with me.
Sea&Love
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