We're on Patreon! And an update from Williamstown, Australia 🦘⛵️

We are still docked in Williamstown, Melbourne, because Windfola’s repairs aren’t quite complete yet. (If you missed it, a catamaran drove into us in March and did nearly AUD$20,000 in damage.)

Repairs are nearly completed, thanks to the amazing team at Penfold Marine!

The days are short and cold here, with a crisp wind that howls across the ocean from Antarctica. The temperatures and severe storms make me nervous about my decision to carry on sailing west to South Australia, but I still think that route is a better choice for our long-term goal of crossing the Indian Ocean next May. (We’ve missed the window to cross this year in May/June due to the accident.)

I’m feeling a bit run down after the months of stress over Windfola’s repairs and doing battle with an insurance company that has shorted us. I’m so thankful to the small community we’ve made here, but I would like to travel home to the USA before we sail any further west and it becomes more difficult. I have an opportunity to hop a flight for free and Zia has a a loving warm home to visit, so…

For the month of July, I’ll be in the USA!!! Would you like us to visit your club, social organization, or youth group? Drop me a note!

When times get tough, I tend to turn inward, not ask for help enough or share what’s going on. But I’m learning – I should have let you all know about the boat hitting us in March, rather than struggling through the aftermath quietly. Another year of my mission in Australia just isn’t possible without grassroots funding from our fans, and it’s important that I be honest about that with you so you can help us keep sailing and giving. I also want to be able to reach you directly so that I can share more raw, exclusive content than I post to social media.

Please take a moment to go check out our new Patreon site! I have some really cool offerings planned, and all levels of sponsorship available, from a simple $5 a month for access to exclusive content and our tracking map, to video calls and custom-made content for top-tier supporters so you can ask me anything or even get cruising advice to prepare for your own upcoming adventures! I’m so excited to share more unfiltered, frequent updates with you as we carry on with our journey to make a difference for young people around the world!

Thank you for all your cheer and support,
Elana xx ❤️

Theft of Our Dinghy!

Yesterday, we went ashore to walk to the nearest grocery store (90 minutes away!) I landed the kayak on a tiny beach by a quay at the foot of Mount Maunganui; it’s at the end of a road beyond the signs saying the mountain’s park is closed.

When we returned, our kayak was gone. Who would steal someone’s dinghy right now?!

It’s like having your car stolen. It’s how we haul groceries, food, and water; it’s how we get ashore for walks, or for emergencies. It’s especially important right now, since we aren’t permitted to get a slip in a marina.

New Zealand is in an extremely strict lockdown. You can’t buy anything online that isn’t deemed an “essential” good by the government. It appears that Trademe — New Zealand’s eBay/Craigslist — isn’t permitting sales or shipments for inflatable kayaks right now.

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The police were so helpful and kind when I called them last night. With their understanding, we borrowed a small yellow canoe from shore so that we could get home. I’m really thankful for how smoothly it all went... and at how little it ruffled me. I really believe that these things usually lead to something good, if you just trust and stay kind. The universe is surely making room to bring us something lovely.

So, I’m putting it out to my community here: If you happen to know anyone in the area that might be able to sell & drop off an inflatable kayak for us in the Tauranga/Mount Maunganui area, it would be a huge help! Or perhaps you know someone who could ship us one — like someone at the awesome Sevylor — or a local who could receive the shipment here for us. Any help would be so so greatly appreciated! Thank you!

And, above all, please be kind right now. We really are all in this together.

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UPDATE: Thank you so SO much for the outpouring of support! You all make my heart so happy; it's like receiving a big hug!  A member of a NZ women's sailing group shared this to her community, secured us a one-person rigid kayak to use for the duration of our stay here, and towed it out to us!  I'm so happy that we have a way to get to shore again, especially so we can return Little Yellow.

We still need to replace our inflatable, as there just isn't enough room on deck to stow a rigid kayak for passages. Thank you SO MUCH to the members of this community that reached out to contribute some $ to our kayak-purchasing fund! A new one is certainly beyond my means right now, so I cannot express how grateful I am for the help, especially at such a dear time for so many. I promise to pay this forward in every way possible.

Wishing you love and kindness. xo