Presentations are Wednesdays at 6pm at Hallam Lake, in Aspen, CO.

About the Presentation and Speaker

Local Aspen boy and ski pro, Nick Devore and his Colorado native girlfriend, Ashton Tafoya bought a 36-foot sailboat, named it Space Wrangler, and are setting out with the intention to sail around the world. Neither of them saw the ocean until they were about 10 years old but have been called by her vast freedom. They have been working hard all winter to pay off their boat and upgrade her to blue water seaworthiness. 

Devore learned to sail in Camden, Maine as a kid while at a few summer camps and has dreamt of sailing around the world ever since. Although he’s a mountain man, sailing is in his blood. His grandfather disappeared at sea trying to sail an old Chinese junk ship from New Zealand to Tahiti, and his father was the National Geographic photographer aboard the historic and legendary Hokulea voyage, proving Polynesians celestially navigated all around the South Pacific and to Hawaii. In preparation to captain his own boat, Devore sailed from Florida to Panama, and then across the Pacific through French Polynesia to Fiji.

Tafoya has traveled extensively but never sailed before last summer,  sailing around Florida and the Abacos. They added solar power, refrigeration, new lines, rigging, and some navigation equipment, while also learning to sail together. Their intention is to slowly sail around the world, using the wind to propel them, the sun to power their navigation instruments and other electrical systems. As environmentalists and extreme adventure athletes they are excited to surf, spear fish, rock climb, kayak, ski, kite, and explore the beautiful interconnected planet we call earth. They set sail from West Palm beach on may 15th and they’ll share their experience of their long, slow, six-week downwind sail back to Florida through hurricane Erin to repair their  boat and get back home.

Learn more about the Potbelly Perspectives series and upcoming speakers here.

With questions or comments about this program, please contact moleary@aspennature.org or call 970-710-4904.

Thank you to our sponsor, Aspen Chamber Resort Association!