These are my sponsors that are making this race possible for me. I sincerely wish to thank everyone involved for their support. Without these great sponsors, I would not be able to race in the 2012 Singlehanded Transpac. Please take a moment to look at all of these great companies' sites and support them.
Hope for the Warriors is the title sponsor of this program. They are a national non profit organization whose mission statement is to "improve the quality of life for US Service Members and their families who have been adversely affected by combat injuries and/ or death. The organization boasts a 95% fiscal efficiency rate, with only 5% of total donations going towards administrative costs. I myself am a wounded Iraq war veteran, and as such, I truly believe in helping promote Hope for the Warriors' worthy cause and look forward to helping other wounded veterans.
Hope for the Warriors has supported me in two straight Singlehanded Transpac races, which I am extremely grateful for. Now it's time to give back. That's why in 2012, I will be raising money for, and organizing two wounded veteran sailing clinics right here in San Francisco Bay and one in Seattle, Washington. The goal is to fly wounded vets out from around the country, put them up in hotel rooms for a week, and teach them how to sail at the local yacht club. I can't wait to hold these clinics and use sailing as a tool to aid in the recoveries of the man and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.
If you like what we're doing, and would like to help support our cause, you can make your tax-deductible donation at the following link:
Quantum Sail Design Group is a huge supporter of this campaign, and i'm stoked! After sailing Alpha Puppy and Criminal Mischief to and from Hawaii in 2011, and spending the entire year racing on high-end boats equipped with Quantum's, they were clearly my first choice for sails. The local Quantum loft manager, Jeff Thorpe, has won more Hawaii races than any other sailmaker in the Bay Area, and has to be one of, if not the top Pro sailors in San Francisco. Combine this local knowledge and expertise with Quantum's worldwide resources and record of success, and Quantum is clearly a top choice. US 101 will be equipped with a full inventory of Quantum's for the Singlehanded Transpac. Quantum has also done a lot to support the charitable and philanthropic goals of this campaign, flying me to Seattle to speak on their behalf and raise money for the wounded-vet sailing clinics.
West Marine Rigging Service is back for 2012! They sponsored me in the 2010 SHTP, 2011 Transpac and now in the 2012 SHTP! In 2011, they even gave me a job as a rigger. What more can I say? I love West Marine Rigging, as they've supported me throughout my career. But enough about their relation to me, what about them? They are one of the biggest and best rigging shops in the United States. The Alameda rig shop is run by Ryan Nelson, my former boss, who taught me everything I know about rigging a boat. Stop by and have a chat with Ryan if you're in the Bay Area and you need anything rigging-related for your boat.
Marina Village Yacht Harbor in Alameda has been a major help to the program. They are located in the heart of the Marine Industry in Alameda. Well protected and calm, while being very close to West Marine and Svendson's, and a short sail up the estuary to the Bay. Nice docks, nice facilities and a great harbormaster in Alan Weaver. Not only does US 101 stay at Marina Village (when she's in the water), but i've been happily living here on my cruising boat since 2010!