A little about each of the folks that Ardea has been gracious enough to accommodate...
Connor Dibble
After 15 months of environmental consulting in California, this biologist is ready to get back to his ecology roots. Several past visits to Central America and a few months in the South Pacific doing research in ecology have me addicted to the tropics on top of my already robust dedication to being outdoors. I started sailing when I was a wee lad and have raced Lasers and 29ers at venues across North America. I also coached at San Francisco Yacht Club for a number of years. Despite all of that, and the countless booze-cruises to McCovy Cove for Giants' games, boat parties on the Foghorn and SF Bay jaunts, the yearning to sail Oceans has possessed me for years. I've tried to channel it toward surfing, kiting, climbing, paddling, a little lacrosse now and again (really, I'll play any game any time)... but the yearning grows. Something about the mystery of the Ocean and its scale- that it demands cooperation and that there's no reset button. I relish the challenges of sailing and I've known for a long time that I've gotta get out there. Of course, I'm looking forward to taking all those little hobbies I've picked up along for the ride and getting some solid hammock time in to boot. Even when it gets a bit hairy or when me and Chittick are cussing each other out at the top of our lungs, I'll be sending loving thoughts home to the Bay along with maybe some pacifying thoughts for our worriers (remember, big picture- we're juuuussttt fiiiiiiine).
Taylor Chittick
First and foremost, it was my grandfather, Robert Chittick, who set a course for me at the age of nine by enrolling me (against my will mind you) in sailing lessons at the Stoney Lake Yacht Club. It took the following two years to fall in love with the sport, on a cold winter day sailing a Laser across Raccoon Straits in San Francisco Bay.
Time passed and I actively raced during both High School and College with two summer 29er campaigns on the side. Sailing post college has transformed from serious competition to relaxing cruises with friends while the sun falls behind the Olympic Peninsula.
As it happens, knowing how to sail and having access to boats is a wonderful way to make friends!
Dana Lee
While growing up in Chico I would have never guessed that some day I would be embarking on a sailing trip across the Pacific Ocean. After traveling and working (minimally) for the past couple of years I was both surprised and thrilled when Connor called last summer to tell me that the sailing trip he had always talked about was becoming a reality. I learned to sail while attending college in the Bay Area, as a frequent guest on the Foghorn. While there was a fair amount of partying on our many trips around the Bay, I was always keen to learn as much as I could and I quickly became fascinated with the world of sailing and the inherent adventure of being out on the open water. As our college career was winding down I made the dubious decision to proclaim to Connor, "if you ever do get it together and buy a boat, I'll be your first mate." Two years later and here I am, ready to set sail on a journey that I think will be the most incredible, intense, challenging, and rewarding experience of my life. 