Galleries

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Kaenon Polarized

Updated: Jul 08, 2009 4:50pm CST

39. More from the Presqu'isle :

39. More from the Presqu'isle

Updated: Jun 18, 2009 12:36am CST

38. More from the Presqu'isle :

38. More from the Presqu'isle

Updated: May 20, 2009 10:42pm CST

37. The Presqu' isle :

37. The Presqu' isle

Updated: May 02, 2009 6:55pm CST

36. On the Move Again :

36. On the Move Again

Updated: Apr 04, 2009 1:27am CST

35. Swell Goes Back in the Water :

35. Swell Goes Back in the Water

Updated: Mar 11, 2009 9:09pm CST

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TinShed

Photos that will be displayed on Patagonia's website in the Tin Shed.. ...

Updated: Mar 11, 2009 9:01pm CST

34. California Whirlwind :

34. California Whirlwind

Updated: Feb 04, 2009 4:32pm CST

Swell Articles : Publicity/articles published on the Voyage of Swell.

Swell Articles

Publicity/articles published on the Voyage of Swell.

Updated: Jan 06, 2009 1:20pm CST

33. Last Round in the Yard :

33. Last Round in the Yard

Updated: Jan 05, 2009 11:34pm CST

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Patagonia Selects

Don't worry, you've probably seen these photos already...posting them ...

Updated: Dec 09, 2008 2:37pm CST

32. Another round in the yard : Over halfway there...

32. Another round in the yard

Over halfway there...

Updated: Nov 16, 2008 1:34pm CST

30. More from the boatyard... :

30. More from the boatyard...

Updated: Oct 18, 2008 4:09pm CST

31. A break from the yard--Island Tour :

31. A break from the yard--Island Tour

Updated: Oct 18, 2008 4:08pm CST

29. In the Boatyard :

29. In the Boatyard

Updated: Sep 11, 2008 4:07pm CST

28. Pre Haul-Out Fun :

28. Pre Haul-Out Fun

Updated: Sep 11, 2008 3:13pm CST

27. With the Girls in Tahiti : Swell transformed into purely a wave-seeking vessel this July as my best surfing girlfriends, Nicole and Katie, flew in for a month long slumber party/surf extravanganza...

27. With the Girls in Tahiti

Swell transformed into purely a wave-seeking vessel this July as my be ...

Updated: Jul 28, 2008 8:59pm CST

26. Passage Back to French Polynesia AND Bora Bora :

26. Passage Back to French Polynesia AND Bora Bora

Updated: Jul 12, 2008 5:12pm CST

25. Kiritimati :

25. Kiritimati

Updated: Jun 19, 2008 10:19pm CST

24. Pitstop en route to Kiribati : I got sidetracked once again on my way to Kiribati. After another lucky surf streak, I helped Puamoutu friend, Tautu paint his house, did a brutal 120 mile upwind passage, and shared the holidays with new friends at Kamoka Pearl Farm. Want a black pearl? Go to http://www.kamokapearls.com/ for the most socially and ecologically responsible pearls on the planet!

24. Pitstop en route to Kiribati

I got sidetracked once again on my way to Kiribati. After another luck ...

Updated: Feb 28, 2008 7:57pm CST

22. Tahiti : November 15, 2007--I made it back to Tahiti after a great time in California. My brother's wedding was beautiful! I cherish the time I got to spend time with my family and friends, too. I have been preparing Swell for my next big solo passage to Kiribati for hurricane season--1100 miles! Already a few mechanical gliches have attempted to keep me here in Papeete, but with a little advice I've managed to get through them with relative ease. My neighbors at the marina on the 'Pearl Hunter' took me down to Teahupoo for a day of massive barrels and sketchy dinghy missions. Here are a few photos from the time since I have been back... Thanks for checking it out. ---Liz Oh and if you happen to be in Santa Barbara, check out the new J7 store on Cota St. and Anacapa and say 'hi' to Jason for me! All photos taken by me unless specified in the caption. Go to www.swellvoyage.com to read the written update corresponding with these photos. Enjoy!

22. Tahiti

November 15, 2007--I made it back to Tahiti after a great time in Cali ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 10:16pm CST

21. The Atolls : The Tuamuotu Atolls--everything I dreamed of when I pictured the South Pacific! Welcome to my photo page! I am currently in California for my brother's wedding after two incredible months in the French Polynesia. These are photos from my passage to the atolls and my time spent surfing, diving, wandering, and making friends there. The South Pacific's hurricane season is sneaking up quickly (Nov 1, officially), so upon my return to Papeete, Tahiti, I will restock Swell and head about 1100 miles north to the Line Islands and explore this infrequently visited area until its safe to return to French Polynesia in the early spring. I will then continue to make my way west through the island groups! For an amazing read, check out "Paddling My Own Canoe" by Audrey Sutherland, who swam parts of Molokai's most inaccessible coast in the 60s and 70s...long before dry bags and adventure blogs! All photos taken by me unless specified in the caption. Go to www.swellvoyage.com to read the written update corresponding with these photos. Enjoy!

21. The Atolls

The Tuamuotu Atolls--everything I dreamed of when I pictured the South ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 10:13pm CST

Swell headed off across the Pacific :

Swell headed off across the Pacific

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 10:13pm CST

20. Marquesas : Kaoha! (Marquesan for 'hello') After a whirlwind trip to California, I am back on Swell. My mom ended up sailing off to the Tuamoutus on another boat because there was a friend here in Nuku Hiva to watch Swell! She is a true sea adventurer now! After a week of algae battling and small repairs, I am ready to see more of the magical Marquesas before heading to the Tuamoutu Atolls...just Swell and I for the moment!

20. Marquesas

Kaoha! (Marquesan for 'hello') After a whirlwind trip to California, I ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 10:03pm CST

19. Across the Pacific : We made it across the Pacific!! Mom and I arrived happily in Nuka Hiva, Marquesas after 22 days at sea...now Mom gets set to babysit Swell while I make a quick trip to California to be in a wedding I wouldn't miss for anything... "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is." ---Albert Einstein Mom and I make the 3150-mile crossing from Galapagos to the Marquesas...22days!

19. Across the Pacific

We made it across the Pacific!! Mom and I arrived happily in Nuka Hiva ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 10:01pm CST

15. Panama : The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island landscapes in Panama and Isla del Coco, to the unforgettable streak of new friends and chance rendezvouses, to watching the Galapagos Islands emerge from a chilly haze after crossing the equator into the southern hemisphere! The last two weeks flew by in a blur of boat preparation, motherly reconnection, surf indulgence, and seal management...I will be heading across the Pacific in a few days! The following photos are arranged by location, and photo credits can be found in the captions. Also, check out more of Mckenzie Clark’s photography at www.mckenzieclarkphotos.phanfare.com! And go find the latest issue of the WEND magazine or go online to (http://www.wendmagazine.com/)...I wrote the cover story! I cannot thank enough everyone aboard the Lost Coast Explorer (http://www.quiksilvertravel.com/?pageID=530)--especially Captain Chris, Allen, Brent, Uncle Rico (Henrique), Matt, and Tim, and the Oxnard crew--Sammy of Panama Surf Adventures (http://www.panamasurfexpeditions.com or surfingpanama@hotmail.com), The Undersea Hunter crew (http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/web/diving/cocopackages.htm)—Jesse, Guy, Schmulik, Captain Mora, Chef Pedro and Toby, the crew of the Andrea F. Plus, a HUGE thank you to Ricardo Nunez Christiansen (Galapagossurf.net) and Petar Sarich for your warm welcome to Ecuador and especially for helping deliver my mom safely to the Galapagos! Also, thank you to my new sponsor, Coffees of Hawaii. You can check them out at www.coffeesofhawaii.net! More words… “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” --Mother Teresa Mckenzie and I begin our 'westing' with absolutely incredible stops and new friends. We say good bye to Panama City with an important celestail navigation lesson from Frankie Westgate followed by an easy passage around Punta Mala... a quick stop at 'Cebaco City'...then an absolutely decadent and fun-filled birthday week with the Lost Coast Explorer (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)...a nasty passage to Isla del Coco but rewards beyond imagination once we got there (THANK YOU UNDRSEA HUNTER!)...another upwind battle to a whole new world and my mom in the Galapagos--THANK YOU RICARDO for all your help and advice and the tunes!(www.Galapagossurf.net)!

15. Panama

The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:58pm CST

16. Isla del Coco : The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island landscapes in Panama and Isla del Coco, to the unforgettable streak of new friends and chance rendezvouses, to watching the Galapagos Islands emerge from a chilly haze after crossing the equator into the southern hemisphere! The last two weeks flew by in a blur of boat preparation, motherly reconnection, surf indulgence, and seal management...I will be heading across the Pacific in a few days! The following photos are arranged by location, and photo credits can be found in the captions. Also, check out more of Mckenzie Clark’s photography at www.mckenzieclarkphotos.phanfare.com! And go find the latest issue of the WEND magazine or go online to (http://www.wendmagazine.com/)...I wrote the cover story! I cannot thank enough everyone aboard the Lost Coast Explorer (http://www.quiksilvertravel.com/?pageID=530)--especially Captain Chris, Allen, Brent, Uncle Rico (Henrique), Matt, and Tim, and the Oxnard crew--Sammy of Panama Surf Adventures (http://www.panamasurfexpeditions.com or surfingpanama@hotmail.com), The Undersea Hunter crew (http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/web/diving/cocopackages.htm)—Jesse, Guy, Schmulik, Captain Mora, Chef Pedro and Toby, the crew of the Andrea F. Plus, a HUGE thank you to Ricardo Nunez Christiansen (Galapagossurf.net) and Petar Sarich for your warm welcome to Ecuador and especially for helping deliver my mom safely to the Galapagos! Also, thank you to my new sponsor, Coffees of Hawaii. You can check them out at www.coffeesofhawaii.net! More words… “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” --Mother Teresa Mckenzie and I begin our 'westing' with absolutely incredible stops and new friends. We say good bye to Panama City with an important celestail navigation lesson from Frankie Westgate followed by an easy passage around Punta Mala... a quick stop at 'Cebaco City'...then an absolutely decadent and fun-filled birthday week with the Lost Coast Explorer (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)...a nasty passage to Isla del Coco but rewards beyond imagination once we got there (THANK YOU UNDRSEA HUNTER!)...another upwind battle to a whole new world and my mom in the Galapagos--THANK YOU RICARDO for all your help and advice and the tunes!(www.Galapagossurf.net)!

16. Isla del Coco

The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:52pm CST

18. Galapagos : The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island landscapes in Panama and Isla del Coco, to the unforgettable streak of new friends and chance rendezvouses, to watching the Galapagos Islands emerge from a chilly haze after crossing the equator into the southern hemisphere! The last two weeks flew by in a blur of boat preparation, motherly reconnection, surf indulgence, and seal management...I will be heading across the Pacific in a few days! The following photos are arranged by location, and photo credits can be found in the captions. Also, check out more of Mckenzie Clark’s photography at www.mckenzieclarkphotos.phanfare.com! And go find the latest issue of the WEND magazine or go online to (http://www.wendmagazine.com/)...I wrote the cover story! I cannot thank enough everyone aboard the Lost Coast Explorer (http://www.quiksilvertravel.com/?pageID=530)--especially Captain Chris, Allen, Brent, Uncle Rico (Henrique), Matt, and Tim, and the Oxnard crew--Sammy of Panama Surf Adventures (http://www.panamasurfexpeditions.com or surfingpanama@hotmail.com), The Undersea Hunter crew (http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/web/diving/cocopackages.htm)—Jesse, Guy, Schmulik, Captain Mora, Chef Pedro and Toby, the crew of the Andrea F. Plus, a HUGE thank you to Ricardo Nunez Christiansen (Galapagossurf.net) and Petar Sarich for your warm welcome to Ecuador and especially for helping deliver my mom safely to the Galapagos! Also, thank you to my new sponsor, Coffees of Hawaii. You can check them out at www.coffeesofhawaii.net! More words… “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” --Mother Teresa Mckenzie and I begin our 'westing' with absolutely incredible stops and new friends. We say good bye to Panama City with an important celestail navigation lesson from Frankie Westgate followed by an easy passage around Punta Mala... a quick stop at 'Cebaco City'...then an absolutely decadent and fun-filled birthday week with the Lost Coast Explorer (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)...a nasty passage to Isla del Coco but rewards beyond imagination once we got there (THANK YOU UNDRSEA HUNTER!)...another upwind battle to a whole new world and my mom in the Galapagos--THANK YOU RICARDO for all your help and advice and the tunes!(www.Galapagossurf.net)!

18. Galapagos

The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:49pm CST

17. Galapagos Surf : The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island landscapes in Panama and Isla del Coco, to the unforgettable streak of new friends and chance rendezvouses, to watching the Galapagos Islands emerge from a chilly haze after crossing the equator into the southern hemisphere! The last two weeks flew by in a blur of boat preparation, motherly reconnection, surf indulgence, and seal management...I will be heading across the Pacific in a few days! The following photos are arranged by location, and photo credits can be found in the captions. Also, check out more of Mckenzie Clark’s photography at www.mckenzieclarkphotos.phanfare.com! And go find the latest issue of the WEND magazine or go online to (http://www.wendmagazine.com/)...I wrote the cover story! I cannot thank enough everyone aboard the Lost Coast Explorer (http://www.quiksilvertravel.com/?pageID=530)--especially Captain Chris, Allen, Brent, Uncle Rico (Henrique), Matt, and Tim, and the Oxnard crew--Sammy of Panama Surf Adventures (http://www.panamasurfexpeditions.com or surfingpanama@hotmail.com), The Undersea Hunter crew (http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/web/diving/cocopackages.htm)—Jesse, Guy, Schmulik, Captain Mora, Chef Pedro and Toby, the crew of the Andrea F. Plus, a HUGE thank you to Ricardo Nunez Christiansen (Galapagossurf.net) and Petar Sarich for your warm welcome to Ecuador and especially for helping deliver my mom safely to the Galapagos! Also, thank you to my new sponsor, Coffees of Hawaii. You can check them out at www.coffeesofhawaii.net! More words… “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” --Mother Teresa Mckenzie and I begin our 'westing' with absolutely incredible stops and new friends. We say good bye to Panama City with an important celestail navigation lesson from Frankie Westgate followed by an easy passage around Punta Mala... a quick stop at 'Cebaco City'...then an absolutely decadent and fun-filled birthday week with the Lost Coast Explorer (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)...a nasty passage to Isla del Coco but rewards beyond imagination once we got there (THANK YOU UNDRSEA HUNTER!)...another upwind battle to a whole new world and my mom in the Galapagos--THANK YOU RICARDO for all your help and advice and the tunes!(www.Galapagossurf.net)!

17. Galapagos Surf

The last two months have been absolutely amazing—from dreamy island ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:44pm CST

14. Island Wonderland : Kemi, Mckenzie, and I chance upon an island wonderland full of waves, fish, new friends, and a place for me to unwind from the city. All photos have photographer labeled with initials in the captions.

14. Island Wonderland

Kemi, Mckenzie, and I chance upon an island wonderland full of waves, ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:42pm CST

13. Island Wonderland Surf : Kemi, Mckenzie, and I chance upon an island wonderland full of waves, fish, new friends, and a place for me to unwind from the city. All photos have photographer labeled with initials in the captions.

13. Island Wonderland Surf

Kemi, Mckenzie, and I chance upon an island wonderland full of waves, ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:27pm CST

12. Panama City : Said goodbye to Heather and Brad and plunged into a mile-long list of repairs and provisiong for the South Pacific. Kemi and Mckenzie arrive after indulging in a week of swell up north at Santa Catalina...yes, I was jealous.

12. Panama City

Said goodbye to Heather and Brad and plunged into a mile-long list of ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:20pm CST

11. Northern Panama to Panama City : Heather an I spend some time in Panama's northwestern islands, then stop at Morro Negrito Surf Camp before picking up a friend, Brad, in Santa Catalina. We then set out for more time in the islands and finally arrived at the mouth of the Panama canal and Panama City!

11. Northern Panama to Panama City

Heather an I spend some time in Panama's northwestern islands, then st ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 9:10pm CST

10. Golfito to Puerto Armuelles : Swell sails again...well not exactly. There hasn't been much wind. Tera, Heather, and I visited other parts of Golfo Dulce, celebrated the 1st anniversary of the voyage on January 30th, and sailed to one of Panama's remote offshore islands before dropping off Tera in Puerto Armuelles.

10. Golfito to Puerto Armuelles

Swell sails again...well not exactly. There hasn't been much wind. Ter ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:58pm CST

9. Off to Panama's Caribbean side by bus. : Heather and Tera arrive and we all travel overland to stay with Mia and Clyde aboard Kaleidescope (remember Clyde who helped me fix my windlass in Nicaragua?). We had SO much fun. Great waves, incredible hosts, and so many new friends! Thanks so much Mia and Clyde, Scott and Steve, Mike and Jessica at www.azucarsurf.com, the guys from The Bravery, Daniel and Luna, Mike Morse for letting me use your cell phone that morning (drop me an email because your card got wet when I went surfing that day!)

9. Off to Panama's Caribbean side by bus.

Heather and Tera arrive and we all travel overland to stay with Mia an ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:45pm CST

8. Golfito Round Two : After flying home to heal my ear infections...thank you to Hamilton and the miracle Sahara DryEar check it out at www.dryear.net my ears are better now! Also thank you to Tim at Land and Sea for changing my prop zinc and Mya for the beautiful fish prints. Check them out at www.fishrubber.com.

8. Golfito Round Two

After flying home to heal my ear infections...thank you to Hamilton an ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:42pm CST

7. Photos by Jack Buttler (from Golfo Dulce and Northern Panama) : Jack has given his permission to use these photos for the web, but please remember to credit them to 'Jack Buttler'. There are lots more too...to see more email me or jackbuttler@hotmail.com.

7. Photos by Jack Buttler (from Golfo Dulce and Northern Panama)

Jack has given his permission to use these photos for the web, but ple ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:39pm CST

4. Golfito : Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui.

4. Golfito

Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Pana ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:38pm CST

5. Puerto Jimenez : Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui.

5. Puerto Jimenez

Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Pana ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:35pm CST

6. Northern Panama : Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui.

6. Northern Panama

Back and forth around Golfo Dulce and down to northern islands in Pana ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:33pm CST

2. Southern Costa Rica :

2. Southern Costa Rica

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:32pm CST

1. Northern Costa Rica : Back up the Nicoya Peninsula.

1. Northern Costa Rica

Back up the Nicoya Peninsula.

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:28pm CST

3. Puntarenas and Playa Hermosa : In the boatyard, at the mooring, and a land trip to Playa Hermosa.

3. Puntarenas and Playa Hermosa

In the boatyard, at the mooring, and a land trip to Playa Hermosa.

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:23pm CST

Departure Day : Leaving San Diego January 30th, 2006

Departure Day

Leaving San Diego January 30th, 2006

Updated: Feb 26, 2008 8:20pm CST

Your Bio

As a surfer and environmentalist enchanted by foreign waves and cultures, I left California aboard my 40-foot sailboat in early 2006. In the 14,000 nautical miles that I have sailed since, the world has shown me more amazing people, waves, adventures, natural beauty, personal insights, and alternative ways to live than I ever dreamed possible. Swell serves as my floating home and transportation. I travel at a pace not much faster than you can run. The weather, swell, and tides dictate my days. This isn’t just a surf trip, it’s a lifestyle. I’ve reduced my daily impact on the earth. I live closer to nature. Solar and wind power provide my electricity. I use less, need less, and want less, yet have never felt more fulfilled. At times the work seems endless and the uncertainties too daunting, yet without these the rest would never be as sweet. That’s the give and take of adventure. I enjoy, but don’t exploit the waves I find, leaving out their location so that those who get inspired enough to go looking might still find places without surf camps or crowds and experience the sensation of venturing into the unknown and being rewarded—a feeling that is, for me, as precious as the empty waves.

The voyage evolves as I continue to learn. I spent the first year and a half gaining confidence as a captain with different friends as crew while traveling down the western coast of Mexico and Central America. After announcing that I intended to sail to the South Pacific alone, my mother volunteered to accompany me, an offer I gladly accepted. We spent 22 unforgettable days sailing across the largest expanse of open ocean on the planet. With the mysteries of blue water sailing behind me, I spent the next year exploring French Polynesia and eastern Kiribati mostly on my own. I take more time in each place now, after realizing that if I don’t, I end up just fixing the boat in every port and missing out on what I sailed all this way to discover. I now prefer to travel alone, indulging in the freedom of solitude and making choices based on weather and swell forecasts rather than itineraries. And so I continue west around the globe with no scheduled ‘plan’, only the intention to positively impact the world, better myself, inspire others to live out their dreams, and cherish each glorious, bizarre, painful, and unbelievable experience that makes simply ‘living’ on this planet the amazing adventure that it is.

Thank you for your visit, I hope you enjoy the photos... LIZ