Principles

The Samoa Voyaging Socety (SVS) works to promote positive Samoan cultural values, respect for the ocean and nature, individual and social responsibility, discipline and integrity.


The SVS considers that the reintroduction of traditional sailing in Samoa will provide opportunities for youth development (sports, leadership), environmental awareness, cultural development and, potentially, tourism opportunities such as whale watching and adventure tours.


SVS is developing hands-on educational and training programmes in traditional sailing and navigation. The programmes will target young Samoan youth including school children, school leavers and other interested groups. The task of learning traditional sailing and navigation skills also develops leadership and discipline among the youth, leading to well-rounded young people capable of contributing positively to the growth of this nation.





Tuesday, July 26, 2011

25 July 2011, Monday


Position: 41°48.6’ N / 138°53.9’ W (some odd 790 nautical miles left till we arrive under the Golden Gate Bridge) Speed: 9 knots

Heading: 110° T


It’s cold. How subtle was that put? And since the last time I mentioned the cold, hey it’s still cold; it’s very very cold.

Imagine our tufuna achieving this long voyage up north, in conditions that are just beyond mind boggling and add on the fact that they didn’t have the comfort of weather gear, thermal socks, marine boots and the occasional koko samoa fix we have on board… It’s just amazing!


It’s early morn and the sun is slowly making its climb from the Koolao quadrant gradually illuminating the sky and giving a face to another new day.


We pray to see a few of her rays peek out and provide us with a little bit of warmth today. The sky has a slightly lighter overcast to it than it did the last couple of days: a bluish and grey tint, reflecting off the moana sausau in a tumultuous play on the surface.

The cold weather makes us longing for the warmer days, which we had at the beginning of this leg, but we’re also quite thankful that we haven’t run into any bad weather. Bad weather defined by the crew: heavy downpour and winds of over 35knots. We’re grateful to be dry and we’re just as grateful if not more to be part of this epic voyage.

We’re once again together with the fleet, which is a nice feeling. To see and feel that your family of voyagers is nearby - conjured just by the sight of their navigation lights. As we near our destination there’s also a high increase of traffic. We’ve been spotting and hearing of cargo ships cruising along possibly on the same course we’re doing.


We’ve also had the privilege of sighting whales. For the last 6 days we’ve seen about 6-8 whales. How phenomenal is that?


Our little island is safe as well as the natives on board. Eating heartily and constantly finding ways to amuse ourselves during the sometimes dreary watches.



Faafetai tele lava mo le taupuiaga ma alofa’aga. O lea malolosi le auva’a ma le kapiteni.


Soifua, FB
Gaualofa

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