The Canvas Works often encounters individuals seeking help with projects for their various marine excursions. Not all of us are cut out for some of these nautical adventures, but they are all worth noting. Here are a few folks you might be interested in learning more about. Lia Ditton • Randall Reeves • Nick Leal
LIA DITTON – Rowing the Pacific Ocean
Lia is unlike any other person we have met at The Canvas Works. She is currently planning and training to be the first female to conquer the Pacific Ocean in a row boat. Yes, we also said, “WOW!” With her unique and colorful 21 foot boat, Lia is striving to be the 3rd human to successfully cross the Pacific Ocean, and the first ever female.
Her trip commences in Japan in March of 2018 and is scheduled to return to San Francisco approximately 6 months later. She will have everything she needs to survive and when she is finished, she will have rowed 5,000 nautical miles in what some say is the wildest stretch of ocean in the world.
Lia’s trip requires extensive training and loads of preparation. We were thrilled when she came to us for a few custom canvas needs ranging from cushions to covers and bags for her gadgets. Aside from these projects, TCW is mainly enjoying following Lia on her adventures. Besides being a sailor, artist and writer, she just launched her new website with plans to use her pacific crossing to create science curriculum for schools. When she is not on an offshore rowing excursions to the Farallone Islands, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz or Monterey, she is doing speaking engagements, visiting schools and practicing how to sustain herself on LOTS of nuts.
We wish her the best of luck. I’m sure you have as many questions for Lia as we did. You can follow her on FB or visit her website https://www.yorow.org to learn more about her amazing adventures.
RANDALL REEVES – Figure 8 Voyage
Meet Randall Reeves! He is a recent Canvas Works customer who is definitely making waves. I’d like to claim that the most important part of Randall’s upcoming voyage will be his custom, bright orange cushions. However, he will likely disagree. Planning to travel a figure 8 around 2 continents, alone, in one year, as you can imagine requires much more than custom cushions. Comfort might be the least of his worries.
Like Lia, Randall has also completed his share of amazing adventures and is extremely knowledgeable about ocean excursions. His latest challenge would put him in the record books. This fall Randall will depart San Francisco for a first-ever circumnavigation of both the American and Antarctic continents in one season. The route will pass through all of the world’s oceans, approach both poles, and round Cape Horn twice. No one has done this before—no one has even tried.
We are inspired by Randall’s upcoming expedition and like to think a little touch of The Canvas Works might get all the way to the Arctic and back. We know he will make it and plan to follow his voyage. The latest update is the voyage is set for Saturday, Oct 28! He will launch from Horseshoe Cove / Cavallo Point, under the North Tower of Golden Gate Bridge. Follow along on Facebook or visit Randall’s website http://figure8voyage.com. Good luck Randall!
Our very own, NICK LEAL
Nick, a native of Wisconsin, came to work at The Canvas Works about 18 months ago. Although Nick had never sailed a boat before landing in the Bay Area, he immersed himself in the boat world almost immediately. Realizing the local cost of living is a bit pricey, Nick purchased a 35ft. Ericson sailboat to live aboard and call it home.
Nick was a quick study and in addition to lending his sewing talents to TCW, he soon went from boat novice to budding sailor. Ok, he still has plenty to learn but his perseverance and dedication to fixing and living on his own boat, has given him valuable experience.
Since moving here, not only has Nick immersed himself in sailing and racing, he has spent countless hours preparing his own boat for sailing. Most recently he designed and fabricated a bimini with 2 large solar panels. He completed the new wiring and is now able to live off the grid with power. Previously, he has completed projects that include new cushions, extensive re-wiring, fiberglass repair, new Infinity flooring and dinghy repairs. When he is not at work, you will likely find Nick working on his boat or racing on the bay.
We are excited to participate in these adventurous people’s lives whether big or small. We wish them the best with fair winds and following seas. As we say here, “WE MAKE IT HAPPEN” and hopefully they will too!
