News // TRIAKsports Sponsors "TRIAK for Orkila" Fundraising Expedition

TRIAKsports is proud to announce our support to Matthew White and Skye Marchesi in their fundraising expedition TRIAK for Orkila – INSIDE PASSAGE 2012. Their 1,300 nm, 4 month journey will take Matthew and Skye from Olympia, Washington up through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, Alaska; considered to be most scenic and challenging kayaking trip of its kind in North America.

The goal of the expedition is to raise a $100,000 endowment for the Teen Expedition programs at Camp Orkila. YMCA Camp Orkila has been on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands for over 100 years and is a very special part of the history of the Pacific Northwest. Following is information about the Camp from Matthew and details about Matthew and Skye’s meaningful journey.

Join this exciting effort by making a gift to the Camp Orkila Endowment

YMCA Camp Orkila, by Matthew White

Located on the north side of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands and nestled into a spectacular cove facing the Canadian Gulf Islands is YMCA Camp Orkila. Founded in 1906, Orkila has been serving the Pacific Northwest for over 100 years.

I first experienced Camp Orkila in the early 1980’s as a camper when I was 8 years old. I spent my summers kayaking, camping, and sleeping under the stars.  Camp Orkila is home to many lifelong friendships and first crushes and was where, for the first time in my life, I experienced true happiness.

My summers as a camper soon turned into summers as a counselor and before long I was out on my own, traveling and guiding my own expeditions using the leadership skills I acquired at camp. Camp Orkila has been the most influential and magical place I have ever experienced.

I was having a conversation with my girlfriend Skye, when I started to revisit what a special place this camp is to me, to my fellow campers, and the current Orkila crew. I knew that some day I wanted to give back to the camp that allowed me to be me. I also knew the next adventure on my list would be to sea kayak the Inside Passage; which is considered to be most scenic and challenging kayaking trip of its kind in North America.

We decided to fuse these two ideas together and this is how our fundraising expedition came about with the goal to raise a $100,000 endowment for Camp Orkila. We plan to take this journey to an exciting new level by being the first adventure enthusiasts to cover the entire 1300-mile journey using TRIAKs. The TRIAK is an innovative craft, which combines the excitement of sea kayaking and sailing into one amazing sport.

Starting in Olympia, Washington we will pass through spectacular vistas along our whole journey as we head north towards Skagway, Alaska. We will sail and kayak through the south Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands, past Vancouver Island, and onward up through Glacier Bay.

We are excited to embark on this TRIAK adventure while supporting a very special camp!

Matthew White has worked in the adventure travel industry since 1996. He has accomplished successful trips in remote areas of Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and the United States. Matthew worked as an instructor for Outward Bound and is a published photographer. Recently, Matthew was the official photographer for the Mirador Basin Project in Guatemala where the pre-classic Mayan city of El Mirador is being uncovered and documented. The Global Heritage Fund and National Geographic sponsor the Project.

Skye Marchesi earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has done photography professionally for SAAB. Skye successfully helped coordinate fundraising efforts to raise over $250,000 to preserve Third Beach in Newport, Rhode Island through her work at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. She now has discovered her love for the outdoors and passion for the culinary arts and maintains her own chef’s blog. Skye is an intrepid outdoor explorer and photographer.

About TRIAKsports, Inc.

TRIAKsports designs, manufacturers and distributes the TRIAK trimaran sailing kayak co-designed by world leading multi hull specialists, Morrelli & Melvin. The TRIAK is an 18’ trimaran sailing kayak featuring a 4m roller-furling mainsail, 4.4m asymmetrical spinnaker, and spinnaker snuffer system. The TRIAK can be transported on top of a car and is great fun for day sails or expeditions by people of all ages and experience levels. TRIAKsports is based in San Diego, California USA. +1 858-240-2730 - www.TRIAKsports.com - www.facebook.com/TRIAKsports - info@triaksports.com

Matthew White
The TRIAK is going to make our 1,300 mile journey fast and safe. We're excited to be the first to tackle this route using TRIAKs.

Skye Marchesi
The gear storage and versatility of the TRIAK is going to be crucial in the remote areas along our route. Matt and I are really excited to be in TRIAKs and have their support for for the Orkila Endowment.

Magill Lange, YMCA
Your support of the Endowment is wonderful and we're excited to have TRIAKsports on board!