One of our main goals is to share the knowledge, skills, and inspiration we have found so far along our journey as well as to facilitate knowledge and skill sharing by others around us. Thus far we have held only a handful of workshops and community events but are excited to continue organizing such events in addition to sharing what we have on a personal, day-to-day basis.
We are always excited to reach out and share our adventures with the communities we are passing through. This might include but is not limited to talks and slideshows, skill-sharing workshops, and sailing on the Libertatia. Give us a holler if you want to host us for such an event. The best way to reach us is by email at
libertatiavoyage@gmail.com
Outreach Events So Far
In early 2011 we held a caulking workshop in our shop at the South Park Marina, as we began to recaulk the Libertatia. The workshop was lead by expert caulker Anthony Vlahovich, was well attended, and was a lot of fun. Not only was the event an important educational moment for all of us, as we had a lot of caulking ahead of us, but was also an exciting first community skill-share held by the collective. All in all a great success.
In the spring we held a film showing during which we projected "The Last Sailors" on a sail hung from a boom in our workshop. This film is a true inspiration to us, as it tells the story of people around the world who are still using sail power to transport themselves and goods. We had an excellent turnout and a whole lot of fun.
In July of 2011 we had a booth at the Lake Union Wooden Boat Show even though the boat was still a few weeks from hitting the water. The highlights of our booth were blacksmithing and chainsaw-milling demonstrations, both skills we utilized to restore the Libertatia. Again, the event was of great interest and an inspiration to those we met as well as quite exciting and fun for us. We made several great connections at the show and were re-inspired to see how we could affect and inspire others.
After putting the boat in the water in July we headed for Port Townsend where we pulled up to the Wooden Boat Center's dock and held an "open boat" for the time that we were there. At the dock we were able to share our project with the "barnacles," a kid's summer camp group, as well as everyone else who stopped by to see the spectacle.
After arriving in Hilo we spent a morning at the Hilo Intermediate School speaking to a few classes who were in the middle of an ocean studies unit. We were able to share our experience in rebuilding the boat and sailing across the ocean, as well as talking about the ocean itself: weather, waves, and more. Our friend Kiko, who grew up in Hilo and it now a boat expert and extreme outrigger canoe enthusiast, mentioned that he remembers a sailing crew from New Zealand who came to his class when he was in elementary school. "Maybe that has something to do with it," he told us at one point. We hope that we can do the same for the kids growing up now.
Also while in Hilo we took the Koa'e 4-H club (based out of Kapoho) out on a daysail. We had a great time, lit up some faces, and answered a whole lot of questions about our adventure. One of the youngsters was later able to join us for a three-week excursion around the islands and is now ready for the South Pacific. We'll see...
Here is a video of our sail with the club:
