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Meet Arista!
What are some of your favorite things about being part of AC? I love how these immersive experiences working as a team in the boats and on the island, build upon our capacity to care. I love the feeling of total unity, while being in sync with the rowers. How long have you been involved with AC? I joined the Russian Atlantic Challenge crew during the international contest held in Rockland in 2002, and lived in Russia for six months the following year. The stimulation of learning Russian, the challenge of learning to tack the complex dipping-lug rigs, and the exhilaration of rowing with in perfect time with the other crewmembers was all the convincing I would ever need to prove that getting people together in boats has the power to transcend cultural, political, and linguistic barriers. Throughout my twenties I continued to teach sailing as a Captain/Watch Officer/Course Leader for Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and the Nova Scotia Sea School. In 2010, I again became involved with Atlantic Challenge, as one of the Instructors for the U.S. team, and more recently in 2019 reformed Atlantic Challenge USA as a 501c3 non profit. I became the Executive Director in 2020. Have you had any other sailing/rowing experience? I grew up sailing small boats in Rockport, Maine, got my 100 ton captain's license in my early 20s, and since have led sailing trips for Outward Bound, NOLS, the Nova Scotia Sea School, the Wooden Boat School, Morse Alpha Expeditions, the Viking boat POLARIS, and the 46' Aage Neilsen charter boat ELSKOV, and others. Where do you currently live? Belfast, Maine What are some things you do in your professional life or study beyond AC? I occasionally write for WoodenBoat magazine. I also have worked as an editor and archivist for Lance Lee, the founder of Atlantic Challenge and the Apprenticeshop. What are some of your hobbies? Playing mandolin, nordic skating, saunas, cold water dips, and water color painting. If you could wake up with a new skill tomorrow, what would it be? Singing easily in harmony; shredding on the mandolin. More woodworking skills, too! What animal do you feel a kinship with? I love seeing bluebirds, and of course, seals. Favorite meal/food? Dumplings Favorite song to sing while rowing? Emma, Emma...Roll her down the bay, Julianna |