Want to participate but don’t have a boat?
Occasionally LOWISA participants are looking for additional crew. If you’re interested in participating, please complete and submit the following form. We’ll share your crew profile with our fleet so that interested parties may get in touch. We’ll do our best to match you with a boat, but please be advised that given the nature of this event, crew opportunities are typically limited.
Crew Available in 2023
Colleen McNeill (Thunder Bay)
Email: ccdmcnei@tbaytel.net
Phone: 807-629-5011
Attributes & Experience:
Easy going, capable, team player
15+ years racing keel boats on Lake Superior.
Some blue water sailing.
Barefoot Skippers Licence,
Safety’s at sea endorsement.
10+ Bayfeild Wisconsin Race Week.
5 Trans Superior Races
Sara Siggelkow (Manitoba)
Email: Sara.l.siggelkow@gmail.com
Phone: 204-205-0453
Attributes & Experience:
Outgoing, fun-loving, humorous, positive, alert and a do-er. I grew up on the Swedish west coast and could be found on the water pretty much all day every summer be it in a dinghy, our family sailboat or cruising the islands in a zodiac with friends. I moved to Manitoba as my husband is from here and I would love to do some sailing again. Oh, and I'm 36 if age matters. :)
I've sailed both dinghy's, where I went through a 2 year racing program with our local sailing club as a teen, as well as some match racing as a young adult as well, and I've sailed with my family for leisure. I have also crewed in transport sailing boats that were to be presented at "floating boat fairs" in Sweden and Norway, and these had to be delivered at a certain time. This included rough weather and navigating in the dark
Andrew Paulsen (New York)
Email: ajpaulsen08@gmail.com
Phone: 419-266-4230
Attributes & Experience:
33-year-old adventurer from Toledo, OH now living in NYC after 8 years in Los Angeles. Hiked many peaks in Southern California. Avid camper. Former van lifer. Drove through Kenora, Ontario on a cross-country roadtrip in 2017 for photo op with Husky the Muskie only to discover the awesome expanse of Lake of the Woods. Daydreamt ever since about boating between the islands and actually picked up sailing because of that dream. Now it’s time to finally return and make it a reality
Primarily sailed as crew with some skipper experience on J80s and J24s through Hudson River Community Sailing and have single-handed/skipper experience on Laser and RS Quest dinghies through UCLA’s Marina Aquatic Center. Experience with mooring, docking, and motoring as well as prepping and flying spinnakers.
Tod Christianson (Winnipeg)
Email: tod.christianson@gmail.com
Phone: 204-793-1351
Attributes & Experience:
Five years casual sailing.
Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising
Sail Canada Intermediate Navigation
Sail Canada Marine Radio Course (I'm also a HAM)
I have been sailing for about 5 years, mostly on my small 17 foot boat at Falcon Lake, MB. I am interested in learning about sailing on Lake of the Woods and the whole LOWISA experience. I am retired, and if I had to describe myself I guess I would say that I'm physically like The Captain from Gilligan's Island...except I'm more fit. However, in personality I'm a little bit more like The Professor. I'm not rich like Thurston Howell III, but I'll happily pay for the boat registration for the race.
Daryl Ibañez (Winnipeg)
Email: Hollabrink@gmail.com
Phone: 204-296-7460
Attributes & Experience:
I am more well-versed in land activities being an experienced backpacker. In terms of watercraft, I have only been on kayaks, canoes, and motorized fishing boats. I own a boating license but I have only had a few opportunities to drive a motorized boat. That being said, I have never gone sailing before. I do sometimes watch sailing videos and a few instructional videos so I wouldn’t be coming in with no knowledge.
Some of you might know me from LOWISA 56 as the Massage Therapist that came for 2 nights at Ash Rapids. I am an avid fan of the outdoors. My favourite thing to do is hike/backcountry camping but I also love getting on the water whenever I get an opportunity. I love learning new things and the challenges they present and I think given the opportunity, I would be a great crew member.
Marvin Chan (Chicago)
Email: marvin.chan@gmail.com
Phone: 773-322-5834
Attributes & Experience:
Marvin's experience began in 2015 sailing with Tyler Gagne on Lake Develan on a 18’ boat. In 2016 Marvin was invited to be part of Kim Ovitz’s crew in LOWISA Regatta 51, of which he did the pre-race prep, maintenance/ repairs, and sailed on the J24 ‘Ulla La”. In addition Marvin also operated the House boat from Sioux Narrows to Kenora, paced the race as the chase vehicle from Kenora to Morson, then returned the house boat back to Sioux Narrows.
Since then Marvin finds or makes opportunities for travel by various means often longing to be back on the water. In 2021 Marvin crewed for Willie Wagner on casual sailing days on Lake Michigan. When possible Marvin is on standby to crew for the seasonal Beer Can Races in Chicago.
Marvin Chan is a jack of all trades with an enthusiastic and focused spirit. Professionally he is a welder, mechanic, and carpenter. Marvin loves to learn and always goes the extra mile. He is a quick and adaptive learner who loves to face new challenges. From casual cruises to competitive races, he is on board for any scenario. Although Marvin is a beginner sailor, what he lacks in technical knowledge he makes up for in quick problem solving solutions, tenacity, and work ethic. Marvin will be a welcomed addition to any crew.
Jean Duarte (Winnipeg)
Email: duartejean@mail.com
Phone: 204-557-3834
Attributes & Experience:
In the last 2 years I had the chance to start taking sail courses and move forward towards the horizon, I have completed the Basic Cruising Course with Sail Canada in 2021, Bareboat Skipper and VHF course in 2022 with IYT in Vancouver.
In June 2023 I went in a 2 weeks sail trip on board of a 51' schooner from Haida Gwaii, sailing the west coast of Queen Charlotte island and Vancouver island back to Vancouver city.
Hello, my name is Jean I'm 39 years old, I'm from Brazil and thats where I grew up, I moved to Canada in 2015. I Have been fascinated by sailing since I was a teenager. I'm a big fan of the earlier navigators and any kind of primitive knowledge.
Tanja Smutny (Vancouver)
Email: tanjasmutny83@gmail.com
Phone: 604-786-0202
Attributes & Experience:
I started sailing in optis at age 5 and never stopped. Racing is my jam. My happy place on the boat is talking tactics while holding a beer :) I still have a laser but I now mainly race keelboats at wednesday night races or middle distance races around the south BC area. I’ve always wanted to do LOWISA and would love to find a boat this year for myself and my friend Renee, who is a badass long distance ocean racer with Vic Maui and van isle 360 experience.
Hi! I’m a 39 year old engineer, live in Vancouver now but grew up in Winnipeg. Love distance racing but not the open ocean! I also love lake of the woods and have spent many summers there.
Hunt Stephen (Eden Prairie)
Email: huntstephen67@gmail.com
Phone: 763-245-3173
Attributes & Experience:
Advanced and knowledgeable sailor with much experience