Description:
Veronica shares stories, images, and video from her unique, high-latitude solo cruising life and from her research for her book (currently only in Norwegian) called What I Read in the Waves – Stories from the Sea People.
Speaker:
Veronica Skotnes | Sailor, Author | Instagram | YouTube | Patreon
Veronica Skotnes took to the sea at the age of seventeen as crew on a schooner in the North Sea. Since then, the wind and ocean currents have taken her north of the Arctic Circle, where she now steers her own ship. For the past three years, she has been sailing and living aboard a boat along the coast of Finnmark, in the very north of Norway. Skotnes has a bachelor’s degree in Arctic Outdoor Activities.
Host:
Annie Means | Multimedia Marine Journalist | Instagram | Substack
Annie Means is a Pacific Northwest-based writer, photographer, and boater. She spent 2023 and 2024 traveling the globe as part of her Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, during which she explored and reported on women’s leadership in the international blue economy and maritime sector. In 2024, she was honored as the runner-up for the prestigious Yachting Journalists’ Association’s Young Journalist of the Year Award. Annie is passionate about sharing narratives that bridge nature and culture, the sea and society. More than anything, however, she deeply enjoys connecting with and learning from the individuals and communities who inhabit these essential stories.
Leave your questions and comments below!
Can’t wait for the book translation! Thank you, loved your insight on nature, especially the sea and sailing alone on her
An extraordinary adventure and a beautiful mind!
Huge gratitude for sharing this with OCH members. I will try to let as many people as possible know about Veronica, Annie, and the resources you shared.
What a compelling soul. Thank you, Veronica. It is very encouraging and challenging to encounter someone who truly “steers her own ship.”
Very inspirational on very many levels. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! It is so refreshing to see fresh and different perspectives in sailing and coastal living!
Wow, that was much deeper than I was expecting, but truly inspiring in so many ways. Congratulations to you Veronica for seeing the world with open eyes and taking leaps into unknown to appreciate the opportunity to experience nature at its fullest.
Greetings from Australia, currently watching you in 30’C warmth and comfort on a 60 year old wooden working boat, Barralee, she is featured on the classic boat show site.
Kindest Regards
Mark
What an amazing and thoughtful presentation, and delivered so well. Thoroughly impressive and inspiring and refreshing. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Very much Look forward to the book.
Will there be a way to watch this again and share it with others?
A recording of this presentation will remain up on this page. It will remain available to all ticket holders through the end of the show on March 2, and Off Center Harbor members get year-round access to the entire show, including all presentations.
This is too good not to make it so we can share it with friends and the public. Is there a way to do that now?
JT
Veronica, you distilled beautifully why we embark on long distance sailing voyages. Your synthesis of local culture, history, art, people and yes even local politics is what encourages us to have deeper understanding of our world and keeps us human. Thank you for sharing your beautiful northern world with us. We can’t wait to read your book. Tusen tack!
Yes, even an ancient male sailor in Georgia USA found her story beautiful and inspirational, overcoming odds and the challenges experienced daily in order to live the purposeful life for which each of us is uniquely created.
A fascinating and inspiring talk with Veronica and her experiences of life in the Northern latitudes which I thoroughly enjoyed thank you.
Wow! What a woman! Just great and I hope there will be more to see and hear, (in English?), from Veronica.
Fabulous!!!! So many character points of what makes a true sailor!
Veronica- there is a growing community of us artist/sailors around the world, especially through social media, female sailors are finally getting some notice~
Keep sailing & creating the life you want~ _/)
Nice presentation, and inspiring. Makes me want to venture farther and for longer periods of time in the upcoming boating season, but you won’t catch me tied up to a dock in February. Burrr.
Did that when I was her age — lived on a sailboat in New England for a winter. It was not easy or fun, but it did teach me the basics of survival and the importance of friendships. JT
I learned so much! And, what a beautifully poetic, thoughtful, caring, and poignant woman. The spirit in which Veronica approaches her journey and the quiet way she listens to the people of those islands is SO heart-warming. I look forward to reading the book! Thanks for great questions, Annie! Off to a great start, OCH!
great Program. we will be visiting her country this summer
Thanks, Veronica!
Factory ships are decimating the oceans with captive crews and the Chinese are leaders in this horrific trade. Do you encounter them in your travels?
Amazing! My question is what do you use for heat on your boat? Dave
Is there a place where we can see your art, and do you sell any of your drawings?
Been looking forward to this one! Never has escape to remote harbors been so appealing. Grateful to Veronica, Annie, and OCH for the chance to hear from someone actually DOING it while also writing, making art, living a life with heart for our planet.
Exactly!
You Go Girl~ _/)