Solo Kayaker Cyril Derreumaux Completes Pacific Crossing
After 91 days and 9 hours at sea, alone in his kayak, Cyril Derreumaux successfully landed at Hilo Bay, Hawaii, on September 20, 2022. He has become the first person to complete the 2400-nautical-mile Pacific crossing from Monterey, California, solo, unsupported and using only his own “human” power. His departure from Monterey in the early morning of June 21 marked his second attempt at completing the journey.
Through a thick beard that has not been trimmed since his leaving the California coast three months ago, Cyril smiled widely and expressed his great satisfaction at having completed this challenge. “It was a magnificent adventure, clearly also a spiritual journey. Before leaving I couldn’t really explain why I wanted to take on this challenge, but I finally found all the answers to my questions on the water. I loved sharing my trip with all those who followed me on the map or the social networks. I encountered all possible weather conditions during these three months. Very rough seas in which I had to stay locked inside my cabin, without even being able to sleep, it was so moving, but also an ocean that can be so calm that it transforms you deeply so much it fills you with tranquility. I experienced moments of pure magic when all the elements came together: calm of the sea, calm of the currents, calm of the winds, and the visit in the middle of nowhere of a bird. It was so simple and so beautiful… Now I just want to grab all my loved ones and hug them, especially all those who supported me during this crazy adventure: Dave, Ashley, Thiago and all the others. I could never have done this without your help!”
The voyage took four years to complete — from its inception, through an aborted attempt in 2020 due to COVID, a failed attempt in June 2021 due to bad weather and subsequent damage to the kayak, to this final and successful crossing.
Cyril made landfall on September 20, 2022, at 10 a.m., to be greeted by a gathering crowd and a welcoming escort from the local paddling community ushering him back to land. The expedition took 24 days longer than was initially estimated, forcing him to ration his food for much of the last part of his journey, and change his final destination from Honolulu to Hilo due to his dwindling rations. Cyril follows in the steps of legendary kayaker Ed Gillet, who in 1987 crossed the Pacific in an off-the-shelf kayak, and at times used a kite as a secondary propulsion method.
With his Pacific crossing complete. Cyril will continue working on a documentary of the solo-kayak-to- Hawaii project that he has been working on for the last four years as he prepared for this endeavor. He hopes to write a book about his experience and continue his work as a performance coach and motivational speaker, inspiring others with his own adventures of pushing the limits of what is possible.
You can learn more about Cyril’s journey at his website, Kayak to Hawaii.
US Sailing Team’s Olympic Development Program Launches Mixed 470 Program
In preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the US Sailing Team is proud to announce the opening of applications for its new Mixed 470 Program. The Mixed 470 Program is a collaboration between the US Sailing Team’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the Windmark Sailing Foundation. The Mixed 470 class will make its debut in Paris, giving the US the opportunity to channel the strength of American sailing, including collegiate sailing, in which mixed-gender teams are the norm. The US Sailing Team is confident that an investment in developing Mixed 470 teams will produce success for US athletes.
The Mixed 470 Program will gather a squad of up to 12 talented sailors (six teams) and connect them with boats, coaching, and logistical support in exchange for a commitment to the domestic training and racing schedule (up to and including the Olympic selection process). Once the initial application deadline has passed and the squad is formed, there will also be the possibility for later additions to the squad, either through the approval of a plan submitted by a newly formed team, or through strong sailing résumés. Teams not initially selected may still be invited to ODP training camps.
Applicants to the program will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Sailing skill — Competitive regatta results (in any class; sailors from a wide range of sailing backgrounds encouraged to apply).
- Fitness — Athlete is following a fitness program with sustained dedication to becoming an Olympic-level athlete.
- Commitment to planned 470 Squad training and racing schedule — Responsible and accountable for planning, logistics, email communications; demonstrated goal-setting and systematic improvement.
Each applicant must apply individually, but should note on the application if they have a proposed partner in mind.
Applications will close on September 30, 2022. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of US Sailing Team staff, coaches, and top 470 Olympians. Athletes will be selected by October 10, 2022.
The application is available here: Mixed 470 Olympic Development Program
Note — Athletes must qualify through the 2023 Sailing World Championship selection process
If you or anyone you know would be interested in applying for this program, we encourage you to do so, now! And we wish all the best success to all applicants.
Learn more here: US SAILING MIXED 470
Defender: Weems & Plath LED Tri-Color Light
Good Jibes #58: Paul Dines on Delivering Happiness Around the Bay
This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Paul Dines to chat about creating unforgettable experiences for sailors on the Bay and beyond. Paul is captain of the schooner Freda B and has successfully delivered numerous private yachts up and down the West Coast.
Paul has been on San Francisco Bay since 1983 and held his captain’s license since 1994. Hear how people react to sailing the Bay for the first time, about the therapeutic nature of sailing, what it’s like captaining a different type of boat than people are used to, how to preserve the waterfront, and why kids should get into sailing.
This episode covers everything from schooners to Bay Area sailing. Here’s a small sample:
- What’s so great about sailing on San Francisco Bay?
- Did Paul grow up sailing?
- What is it like sailing the schooner Freda B?
- Who typically sails on it?
- Why should we preserve the waterfront?
- What’s changed with the waterfront over the years?
- Where has sailing taken Paul?
- Short Tacks: What’s the longest voyage he’s been on?
Learn more about Paul @SchoonerFredaB on Instagram, Facebook, and https://schoonerfredab.com/.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!
Where’s Your Greatest Waterfront Dining Pleasure?
We recently received a note from Linda Alvardo of Szechwan House in Benicia asking us to update their listing on our Boat-in Dining web page. We periodically update the page to keep it as current as possible, but we don’t have an active restaurant review department to maintain an accurate directory of the best dining places and watering holes accessible to sailors docked along the Bay Area’s waterfront.
A lot has changed since LaDonna Bubak wrote the first article in 2011, and the disruption of the last couple of years has created many new changes. One thing we do know: The Bay Area is a great place to sail and a great place to eat. What are your favorite places? Which would you recommend to cruisers passing through from Canada and the Pacific Northwest in the next couple of months?
Landing a guest berth within walking distance of a favorite restaurant is a great way to enjoy having a boat in the Bay Area. Lyft only adds to the possibilities. Bay Area municipalities are still awful at maintaining decent waterfront infrastructure such as moorings and dinghy docks for visiting yachters, but there are many yacht clubs and marinas that can fill the void. Dinner at Jack London Square on a Saturday night with a visit to the Sunday morning farmers’ market can make for a great weekend. There are plenty of options ringing the Bay, and more if you venture up the Petaluma River or Napa River, or to Benicia and beyond.
Our Boat-in Dining page lists restaurants, bars and brew pubs in the following waterfront locations: Benicia, Berkeley / Emeryville, Delta, Oakland / Alameda, Petaluma River, Richmond, San Francisco, San Rafael, South Bay, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo. So what’s missing? What’s listed that’s no longer there? Sadly, Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael has closed. We just added Copita Tequileria y Comida on Bridgeway in Sausalito.
If you’ve got a favorite spot we should add, leave it in our comment section below or email us here. Bon appétit!
Skippers Wanted: US Coast Guard-Licensed Captains for Charters and Private Lessons
Wanted: US Coast Guard-licensed captains for charters and private lessons. For power & sail. Hourly rate from $50 up. Weekend and weekday work available.
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