Sage and Liz Spalding, owners and operators of Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Adventures.
Sage grew up on the island of O’ahu where he was introduced to the ocean at a very young age. His father taught him to surf at the age of 7 and he took up a canoe paddling at the age of 10. Paddling competitively all his life, his first sailing canoe race was the 98 mile Na Holo Kai from O’ahu to Kauai at age 16. He has been an avid Hawaiian outrigger canoe sailor ever since.
Liz grew up on the island of Maui where she too was introduced to the ocean at a very young age. She took up surfing at the age of 15 and surfed competitively through high school. Deciding to make a career on the ocean, she began working on boats out of Ma’alaea Harbor, in particular the gaff-rigged schooner ‘Lavengro’ where she learned how to sail.
Their love for the ocean led them to attend the California Maritime Academy where they met. They both received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and a Third Officer’s Unlimited Tonnage United States Coast Guard License.
Liz is also a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Coast Guard Reserves and has earned a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management.
After graduating from California Maritime Academy, Sage sailed on inter-island tug boats as First Mate, and Liz sailed with Chevron Shipping Company as Third Officer in charge of navigation watch and person in charge of dangerous cargoes. Once their daughter Kirra was born, shipping out for months at a time was not doable. So, they combined Sage’s sailing canoe experience and Liz’s sailing and local knowledge and came up with Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Adventures. They have brought their experience, knowledge, and love for sailing, canoes, and the ocean together in a fun, unique, unforgettable experience. And most importantly, they get to be home with their beautiful children, Kirra Anne and Cru Kaikane Spalding.