Celeste grew up in landlocked Saskatchewan, where the horizon stretches on endlessly but the coast is nowhere to be found. The first time she set eyes on the sea, as a child on a trip to California, she was completely captivated. With each following trip to a coast, she felt it’s spell. She may have been young and without the words to express the beauty and draw she felt, but she knew one thing: she needed to live closer to that magic.
When Celeste eventually made her way to Vancouver Island, she was mesmerized and felt an immediate pull to be out on the water. She said yes to every opportunity she could find to do just that – joining paddling clubs, crewing on boats, joining for Sunday regattas with anyone willing to take her. Slowly she learned the ropes from generous skippers and salty mentors and bacame gung-ho. What began as a curiosity quickly became a deep devotion to letting the wind fly the sails to locations unknown.
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."
Nathan was born and raised in Victoria. Unlike Celeste, the ocean was simply part of his backyard — a steady presence he never took for granted. He loved paddling and exploring the coastline, but sailing wasn’t something he’d been exposed toSoon after meeting Celeste, she recruited him aboard one of the regular racing boats she crewed, He regularly found himself as “rail meat,” sitting still most of the trip and leaning out over the edge. It wasn’t overly enjoyable so that’s when it became clear: to get a boat of their own to enjoy at their own command and pace.
In 2018, a beautiful 27-foot Mirage monohull named Ruffian was found. She was an old girl, but she had elegant lines, warm woodwork, and the kind of quiet character that told you she’d been deeply loved.
For six years, Ruffian carried them through the intricate waterways of the Salish Sea. They tucked into quiet coves around Vancouver Island, and crossed into the San Juan Islands whenever they could. During those years they were taught patience in following the tides, humility from mixed weather, and the quiet joy of slow travel under sail. What began as a longing to live near the ocean has turned into something deeper: a commitment to letting wind and water guide the way.
Our girl Gemma was the ultimate boat bunny. She quickly found her way around both the cabin and the deck (as long as the wind wasn’t too wild), and became a steady little presence on board.
She joined us on many of Ruffian’s adventures. She crossed borders into the San Juan Islands, played on beaches with us and always kept a watchful eye on the skies for incoming weather (and any nearby feathered intruders). Wherever we went, Gemma was right there with us.
After five wonderful years of sailing by our side, she’s no longer with us for this next chapter. But she played such a special role in shaping our love for life on the water. She was our tiny sailor, our steady companion, and she will always be part of the story.
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