A LA VAGABONDE STORY
Six years ago, a serendipitous event occurred on the sun-drenched Greek Island of Ios that changed not only the lives of two strangers but also inspired a whole sailing industry. Riley, an adventurous oil rig worker from Adelaide, South Australia, and Elayna, a spirited musician from Geraldton, Western Australia, met by chance. This meeting would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
The Early Days: oil rigger to sailor
After eight years working and saving money on an oil rig off the coast of Western Australia, Riley, a FIFO worker, traveled the world during his off time. However, he began to seek a mode of travel that would serve as a traveling home away from home. As fate would have it, Riley decided to buy a sailboat instead of a van to continue his adventures during his time off from work. Despite having no prior sailing experience, he purchased La Vagabonde 1 from a trio of bickering Italian sellers in March 2012. This pivotal moment marked the inception of a new love affair with life on the water, and unbeknownst to him, it would change the course of his life significantly.
Elayna's Journey
Meanwhile, between 2011 and 2013, Elayna was living her own nomadic lifestyle, working as a scuba master and musician while traversing the globe. She found solace and grounding in the ocean, which remained a comforting constant amidst the ever-changing landscapes of her travels.
A greek Encounter
In 2014, against the picturesque backdrop of the Greek Islands of Ios, fate intertwined the paths of Riley and Elayna. Following a mere month of acquaintance, Riley extended an invitation to Elayna to join him in island hopping—an offer she accepted without hesitation. Their shared journey began, marking the start of a partnership that would shape their lives and the lives of others forever.
The Beginning of La Vagabonde
Soon after meeting Elayna, Riley invited her to join him for a weekend sail on his recently purchased 43.4-foot Beneteau Cyclades. Despite having no prior sailing experience, they quickly bonded over their shared sense of adventure. After just a few weeks together, they took the plunge and set sail for Croatia, with Elayna documenting their escapades on YouTube. Their genuine charm and raw storytelling quickly captured the hearts of many, turning them into beloved figures in the sailing community.
Navigating to Their Dream Yacht: La Vagabonde 2
During their global sailing expedition, Riley developed an affinity for high-performance yachts. While in Venezuela, Riley discovered the well known French built Outremer catamaran and befriended its owners. After spending Christmas together, they obtained contact details for the CEO of Outremer. Unbeknownst to them, their adventures had already caught the attention of the French yacht company. In 2016, following the success of their initial YouTube video in November 2014 and three years of documenting their journeys, Riley and Elayna signed a deal with Outremer to acquire a gorgeous 45ft catamaran.
Family, Adventure, and Inspiration
After saying goodbye to La Vagabonde 1, Riley, Elayna and La Vagabonde 2 embarked on an unforgettable journey, initially from Europe to the Bahamas, and then across the world. Their new boat hosted patrons and delighted viewers by setting a stunning stage for their adventures. In 2019, they joyfully welcomed their first child, Lenny. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, their family expanded with the arrival of Darwin. Through their experiences, they inspired a new wave of blue water enthusiasts by offering realistic glimpses into their life aboard their floating sanctuary. Their engaging videos served as virtual escapism and inspiration for those tethered to suburban life.
Charting New Horizons on YouTube
A decade on having sailed 70,000+ nautical miles and capturing the hearts of 1.9 million YouTube subscribers, Riley and Elayna now navigate the seas aboard their stunning mango coloured 60ft Rapido, a custom-built racing trimaran. This state-of-the-art vessel sets this YouTube channel apart. La Vagabonde 3 is a delight to watch on screen and can take the crew and viewers to some of the most remote and uncharted sailing territories around the world. Their episodes are enchanting narratives of love, resilience, and unyielding wanderlust. With their two children by their side, they continue to captivate and inspire millions through their YouTube channel, Sailing La Vagabonde.
Their channel and adventures that spans many years, exemplifies that life as Vagabonds transcends ordinary existence—it’s a vibrant celebration of adventure, where every episode promises discovery, and every horizon holds boundless potential. For more on their adventures, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and stay up to date with new movies by subscribing to their famous YouTube channel.
Asirika is an independent platform and is not affiliated with Sailing La Vagabonde or their YouTube channel. All content related to Elayna, Riley and Sailing La Vagabonde is curated and shared for informational purposes only, with no direct association or endorsement by Sailing La Vagabonde.
