Sailing on a Dream — the Big Kahuna
Spring 2024 marked the official 10-year anniversary of my passion for sailing. I moved to San Francisco when my best friend found me a job at a startup in the marine industry. I’d also wanted to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a surfer girl in California. But after learning how cold and challenging the waters are in Northern California, I decided I’d rather be on the water than in it. I attended the 2014 Latitude 38 Spring Crew List Party for work, but left with a spot on a J/88 racing team and a determination to learn to sail. By May, I was taking sailing lessons, racing three times a week, and treating (or torturing, depending on whom you ask) all my friends with weekend trips around the Bay aboard the beginner boats at the local sailing club.
For the past 10 years, I’ve done everything I could to sail whenever and wherever possible. The more I sailed, the more inspired I became. I fully immersed myself in the industry to see where it might lead.
In 2017, I decided to pursue my 6-pack Merchant Mariner Credential (aka MMC, aka captain’s license), and in 2019, I earned my 100-ton Master MMC. By summer 2023, I had amassed hundreds of days sailing through racing, coaching, and instructing ASA courses. I’d spent several seasons crewing on commercial vessels and started a women’s sailing program at the very school where I’d taken my first classes. I’d logged 20,000+ miles in near-coastal and ocean waters, including one Atlantic and two Pacific Ocean crossings, plus multiple OYRA races. I’d become a delivery skipper and branched into private instruction and charter gigs worldwide.
My ultimate goal loomed on the horizon: the Pacific Cup — the Big Kahuna. In 2023, a friend introduced me to Aaron Wangenheim, owner of City Lights, a Santa Cruz 52, a boat I’d dreamed of sailing on. He needed crew for the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series, and I was invited to join. Little did I know, I was training for something bigger. We placed third at RBBS, and the following spring, Aaron launched a 2024 Pacific Cup campaign. Once again, I was invited and even asked to be the delivery skipper, along with my partner, to bring the boat back to San Francisco. The Big Kahuna — it was happening!
After months of preparation, race day finally arrived. We set off for Hawaii on a true bluebird sailing day, July 17. The Pac Cup bills itself as “The Fun Race to Hawaii” — and I’d agree. For nine days, we sailed downwind with spinnakers flying almost the entire way! Our team consisted of eight people on a four-hours-on, four-hours-off watch schedule. The first few days were tough, but a full moon illuminated the sails.