Bjarne Patuel Nielson has spent more than 40 years on the ocean around the world. As a competitive and recreational sailor, as well as a lifeguard, and now serving in his fifth year as OA Principal Officer at the Royal Danish Yacht Club (KDY), Bjarne has a wide understanding of sailing and the sea. Since … Read more
Catherine has always had a passion for the sea and has been living and working across the world’s oceans for two decades. From the West Coast of Canada where she grew up, to the Caribbean where she works as a Charter and Delivery Skipper and Dive Master, to the high latitudes of Svalbard where she works in tourism as a Polar … Read more
Cortney Kingsley is currently the Education Programs Manager for Sail Newport in Newport, RI. She has been around the water her whole life and considers herself fortunate to have learned many water sports including sailing. She has used sailing as a medium to teach others about the ocean and to learn more about the ocean herself! She feels … Read more
Barb spent her 20’s and 30’s sailing from Alaska to Nova Scotia annually – always on the move, on everything from a 100-foot wooden schooner to an 88-foot ketch and 160-foot power boat. As a chef before widespread recycling was available, planning and managing your environmental footprint was essential to the operations of the boat, … Read more
Maya Hoffman grew up sailing in a National Marine Sanctuary in Monterey, CA, which sparked a lifelong passion and love for the marine environment. She is a member of the Whale Entanglement Team and has assisted in the disentanglement of many humpbacks. Maya is a national level inshore racer in the Shields class and Lightning class, … Read more
“I believe all sailors are naturalists at heart, and think it’s an obligation for those of us to lucky enough to enjoy this sport to take Emerson’s advice, to define success not just by winning Regattas, but by leaving the world better than we found it. It’s more important than ever for those of us … Read more
“The water provides so much for our wellbeing and development, but cannot if we do not treat it properly. As adventurers and those that engage in sport on the water, our activities thrive in a clean and enjoyable environment. If we don’t take actions now, not only will our sports and adventures suffer, but so … Read more
Victoria is a freshman in high school and has spent her whole life near the ocean. She started sailing at six and later got into racing, starting with Optimists and currently sailing 420s for her high school team. She organized the Maiden Maine through SailMaine Community Sailing Center, a regatta to introduce women and girls to sailing. Together with … Read more
“I wish that everyone could experience sailing at least once, not only for the natural wonder of it, but also for the chance to reflect on the fragility of that balance. It’s paramount that we protect all our bodies of water to share with generations to come.”Having spent many years traveling around the world, Ben … Read more
“The ocean has always been my teacher, classroom, and playground. I want the young people of today and tomorrow to be inspired by the ocean’s natural beauty, just as I was when I was growing up.”Damon is a marine biologist by profession, having been a faculty member at the University of Georgia Marine Institute. He … Read more
