Solo cruising gains surprising depth when shared with a community

Lauren Landers Sailing reflects that community was not even something she considered when heading out cruising, yet it has become one of the most meaningful parts of this season. She tries not to set expectations while cruising because rigid expectations tend to complicate the experience, but what emerged organically, a core group of sailors who sometimes number two boats and sometimes ten, has given far more value and purpose to the lifestyle than she anticipated. Some boats can make certain weeks and others cannot, so the group is fluid, but the core friendships have become family. For Lauren as a solo sailor in particular, being around people has meant more time in the water and more willingness to get out and explore, things she says this season simply would not have had without the people around her.