Using TRIAK Trimarans for a Sea of Cortez Expedition
The following press release, from the folks at TRIAK Trimarans, is truly a great, genuine story. I contacted Thayer Ridgway, the owner of TRIAKsports and asked him how it all came about. His explanation (below) precedes the Press Release.
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Crazy at it sounds, we routinely get requests for us to “give” people boats because they say they plan on embarking on some crazy expedition and can get us gobs of exposure. This is great, but typically these people are total unknowns with no background etc. Typically they don’t want loaners, but simply free boats to keep.
I guess it never hurts to ask!
As I googled the team members names (who you’ll read about below), I quickly realized these were 3 very special people with deep expedition skills and love for adventure. I asked Tyler why he had approached us and he and said he and the team couldn’t think of a better craft to do their trip in, which is a true honor to the TRIAK.
Tyler, Erik and Sarah already had the trip planned. Worse case they were going to use kayaks, but they were keen on using some sailing craft to take advantage of the Northerlies this time of year.
They found our web site online and after research determined the TRIAK was the perfect craft for their expedition and contacted us. I agreed to support them by loaning them 3 boats, some spares, and other gear (some small anchors, bilge pumps, etc) for their trip.
They are returning the boats after the trip. We’re going to consider them sponsored athletes / “Ambassadors”, like Patagonia, and will help them on other expeditions where the TRIAK makes sense down the road. They are super busy during the year doing other expeditions – like hucking themselves over waterfalls! – where the TRIAK doesn’t fit.
We’re honored that these expert adventurers have chosen the TRIAK for their trip and in helping them we hope to inspire others to get out and do similar adventures.
– Thayer Ridgway
Before reading the following Press Release, here are a couple of TRIAK trimaran videos that allow you to see this craft in action…
TRIAKsports Sponsors Sea of Cortez Expedition
San Diego, California • January 9, 2011 – TRIAKsports is proud to announce our cooperation with a group of extraordinary individuals in their 2012 Sea of Cortez Expedition in Baja California, Mexico. Tyler Bradt, Erik Boomer and Sarah McNair-Landry are each accomplished individuals, explorers and adventurers with a long list of impressive and extreme expeditions between them. TRIAKsports is honored that Tyler, Erik and Sarah chose the TRIAK trimaran sailing kayak as their perfect craft to explore and island hop the Sea of Cortez on a 30-45 day expedition.
Starting in January 2012, Tyler, Erik and Sarah will set out on a multi faceted expedition to navigate one of the most ambitious sea kayaking routes down the Sea of Cortez. Utilizing the prevailing Northerly winds they will sail their TRIAKs as much as possible, paddling through calms, and waiting out storms on the 450-mile journey. The team will take time to spearfish and fish for food, explore islands, and kite board along the way. The expedition’s documentation will provide insights into the team’s unique characters and give a glimpse into the sea’s abundant marine life, beautiful coastline, and opportunities for high adventure.
Sarah McNair-Landry…
Sarah McNair-Landry grew up with the Arctic Ocean and a team of dogs in her back yard. No stranger to the cold, she is the youngest to travel to both the North and South Pole, has traversed the Greenland Ice Cap five times, has crossed the Gobi desert, and has recently guided an expedition to both the South and North Pole. Along with her older brother and teammate Eric, she was nominated for National Geographic’s prestigious Adventurer of the Year 2008 Award and received the Outdoor Idol Award in 2007. Not to mention last winter, along with her brother, she retraced the 3’300 km Northwest Passage route, traveling by kite ski and ski. When she is not in the cold, she spends her time working in film. She has documented all of her expeditions and directed a documentary on waste management issues in northern Canada that was produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
Jon Turk and Erik Boomer…
Erik Boomer has been a feature athlete in numerous extreme-paddling films and is a professional image maker dovetailing his love of adventure and action with the art of photography. His ballsy approach to challenges on and off the river has earned him the title “Honey Badger of kayaking.” Erik’s photography has been used in conjunction with film and TV projects and has won several awards in the past few years. Most notably he was an overall finalist in the 2010 Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. Last Christmas he focused on a project about homelessness and personal change; he spent a week embedded as a homeless person on the streets and in homeless shelters in Washington DC. In 2011 Erik spent 104 days circumnavigating northern Canada’s Ellesmere Island with partner Jon Turk using sea kayaks and skis. Their unprecedented, extreme expedition landed them a nomination for 2012 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year. His photography of the adventure will be featured in New York Times and Outside Magazine.
Tyler Bradt…
Tyler Bradt’s life leads from one adventure to the next. His laid back, easy going demeanor does not foreshadow the tenacity with which he lives life. Having kayaked since the age six, Tyler has traveled most of the world exploring rivers and seeking adventure. He is most commonly known for holding the world record waterfall descent at 189.5 feet, which he accomplished April 21st, 2009 at Palouse Falls in Eastern Washington (a waterfall even bigger than Niagara Falls). Tyler has directed three award-winning action sport films including “Oil and Water Project” which documented the journey from Alaska to Chile in a Japanese fire truck which Tyler converted to run on vegetable oil. The journey became the longest alternatively-fueled land journey to date. Tyler recently finished kayaking the last un-navigated section of the Congo River and in doing so paddled the highest volume and biggest rapids on the planet. The descent will be featured in National Geographic Magazine and in a Red Bull Media House documentary to be released in Spring, 2012.
About TRIAKsports, Inc.
TRIAKsports designs, manufacturers and distributes the TRIAK trimaran sailing kayak co-designed by world leading multi hull specialists, Morrelli & Melvin. The TRIAK is an 18’ trimaran sailing kayak featuring a 4m roller-furling mainsail, 4.4m asymmetrical spinnaker, and spinnaker snuffer system. The TRIAK can be transported on top of a car and is great fun for day sails or expeditions by people of all ages and experience levels. TRIAKsports is based in San Diego, California USA. +1 858-240-2730 – www.triaksports.com/ – www.facebook.com/TRIAKsports – info @ triaksports.com
Contact:
Thayer Ridgway
TRIAKsports, Inc.
Tel: +1 858-240-2730
Fax: +1 619-342-7236
info @ triaksports.com
www.TRIAKsports.com | www.facebook.com/TRIAKsports
