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Home » All Posts » Voyage from Guam to Woleai March 2013
Voyage from Guam to Woleai March 2013

Voyage from Guam to Woleai March 2013

In March 2013, my crew and I finalized our plans and preparations for our trip to Woleai. Woleai is a small island atoll, part of Yap in Micronesia. It is 360 miles Southeast of Yap, but is 360 miles south of Guam, making for an ideal sail from Guam with our consistent tradewinds. It took three days going, and three days back.

My crew of three plus myself made a great team, sailing the Rubicon. We were able to find some good waves to surf as well. The people on Woleai were some of the warmest, friendliest people we’ve ever met. They welcomed us with open arms, invited us to join their men’s circle for celebration of tuba drinking. We brought gifts, they also gave us some gifts of their local bananas to take back with us.

While sailing down, we experienced some wind direction shifting, into a possible tropical depression. We were nervous it would develop into something serious, but thankfully it struggled its way off to the west.

Overall the trip was a success, mission accomplished. We will definitely be going again in the future.

Here are photos from the trip:

Surf gang departure Thurs. 11pm

Surf gang departure Thurs. 11pm

012

Ready to fish ~ 1st day

019

Got one!

026

Land ho!

028

Setting anchor

034

Our greeting committee

046

The boys

045

Main highway

058

Modern vs. Traditional

068

6 palm paradise

070

Surf ahead

072

Found the waves

092

Gifts for the locals

095

He’ll be back

133

Traditional canoe house

135

Rubicon & downtime

142

Beach paradise

143

2 boys

149

Clearing customs

158

Local brew (tuba)

179

School grounds

182

War relics

193

Woleai Community School

196

The salesman

198

Baby canoe $5 (cowrie shell was $5 too)

197

Baby canoe + Rubicon

Good waves found!

More good waves!

025

4ft & perfect!

026

My son Shane

027 (2)

Shane

031 (2)

Shane

040

Shane eating breakfast

058

I found a girlfriend (from visiting catamaran)

069

Departure party

072

Shane & Kawika with tuba

074

Yes, the women go topless

075

Cutest boys ever!

076

Tommy (our liaison)

079

Pirates heading home

077

Easting first

094

Speed 7.6 knots 125 nautical mi. to go

095

Pirate Captain Ken

097

Happy crew arriving home

103

We made it!

104

Wife Libby greeting committee (don’t mention girlfriend)

 

August 13, 2013 Shell

9 Responses to Voyage from Guam to Woleai March 2013

  • Steve Smith August 13, 2013

    I have been waiting to see the Photos of this expedition! Ken your son Shawn is so tall. He looks so much like you. I hope the Penn Reel and Lures bring you big fish. The photos reminds me of my first trip working for Air Micronesia flying into Yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Majuro. We also were greeted with the local attire! That was back in 1967-68…

    Your Old Friend,
    Jack Sparrow

  • Karl Greenman August 13, 2013

    Looks like a great trip, and it only to three days.  The surf looks fun too.  I have a friend who tried a trip south in the 1970’s and did run into a typhoon.  It chased them north for weeks and with lose of electrical power no one knew where they were.  His name was Wayne and worked at the Coral Reef Dive Shop.

  • Bryan August 14, 2013

    My dad sent me this link.  Very nice adventure!  Born on Guam and haven’t been back since ’74.  Love the photos!  Looking forward to more.  Hafa adai!

  • Buddy Smith August 20, 2013

    Hey Ken Good to see you doing something that I know you love.  There is nobody doing it any better than you.  That sure looks like an island paradise.  I spent a week in Ulithi one time and caught fish everyday. I didn’t have my board with me but I did see some surf similar to your photos. At night we hung with the locals and drank Tuba and also had what they called The Blue Flame, that high proofed Bicardi rum. I left Guam 31 years ago and still think about it daily. Good luck in your business, you have a wonderful adventure to share with your clients.

  • Love Tawer October 4, 2013

    Woooww first of all my name is Love and i am from that paradise that u guys visited. I was actually on the island when you arrived. we met at the church and i am very happy to actually see your posts and your comments about your experiences back there..I miss the place too. im sure they are looking forward into seeing you again…its always good to find things about my place on line….peace out..

  • Dan Howard October 13, 2013

    It looks like that was quite an adventure.  If you ever need a volunteer for another trip like that let me know.  I still talk a lot about my fishing trip with you.  Take care Ken and your family.

  • Susan Smith Feaster January 4, 2014

    Would this be the Buddy Smith who went to school in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Va?  I know Buddy enjoyed sailing but lost touch of his adventures.

    Susan

  • Anita Onopei January 28, 2015

    Hello Mr. Nahaloa? Sorry I forgot how to spell the last name, but we where working together at Guma Mami, (IGH)

  • Régis MICHEL November 18, 2015

    Hello,
    I’m a french Tv reporter and I would like to get some informations about Woleai islands. I plan to make a documentary on this island during the next total eclipse of the sun on next march. Could you help me ?
    Best regards
    Régis

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