Written by Shae Lefebvre | 2024 Charter Issue
Despite the challenges, our journey was filled with moments of pure joy and wonder. Exploring the blue waters of the Bahamas and seeing the incredible sea life was a life-changing experience. We took the opportunity to dive outside of our comfort zones and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the ocean.
As our family of four embarked on a journey of a lifetime, sailing from St. Catharines, Ontario to the Bahamas, we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. We had never sailed before, and the thought of being confined with two young kids on a boat for days on end was a bit intimidating. But we were eager for the adventure and determined to make it work. 
So, we took the leap of faith, learning how to sail on Lake Ontario for a few months before setting off on our journey. The journey was filled with many challenges, but with each challenge came a new learning experience. We had to learn how to read the winds, wave forecasts, and watch for weather windows. We learned the hard way that bad weather could strike at any moment, but with each storm came a lesson in how to deal with it and get to safety. There is something magical about the open seas, the endless horizon, the sound of waves, the wind blowing in your hair. Sailing is about freedom, adventure and discovery. It is a chance to escape the hustle in your daily life and immerse yourself into the beauty of nature. From sunrise to sunset on the open seas is always a new adventure
Having to learn, read, research scenarios so you are well-prepared, has been a big part of this learning curve. We had no prior experience before we took off on our journey from Ontario to the Bahamas. We prepared our boat for our trip, practiced a few times in the lake, and then we took off knowing we would learn more underway than any other way.Â
Click to read the rest of this story and see more great photos.
