Introduction: Sailing La Vagabonde is a wildly popular YouTube channel helmed by Australian adventurers Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu. This captivating platform chronicles their life aboard the magnificent sailing catamaran, La Vagabonde. As of July 2023, the channel boasts an impressive 1.85 million subscribers, firmly securing its place as the foremost sailing-centric YouTube channel. The dynamic duo’s claim to fame reached its zenith in November 2019, when they garnered widespread attention for hosting climate activist Greta Thunberg on an epic voyage from Virginia to Lisbon, en route to the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid.
Historical Genesis: The roots of this enthralling channel trace back to 2014, when Whitelum and Carausu’s fateful encounter in Greece set the stage for their incredible journey together. Fueling their maritime escapades is a weekly video blog on YouTube, supplemented by support garnered from their devoted community on the crowdfunding platform Patreon. Their inaugural series unfolded aboard the Beneteau Cyclades sailboat, laying the foundation for their subsequent triumphs.
Evolving Horizons: Emboldened by the growing success of their channel, the intrepid pair entered into a mutually beneficial partnership with Outremer, securing a discounted price for the remarkable catamaran that faithfully carried them from 2017 to 2022. Presently, a Rapido 60 trimaran is in the making, poised to usher in a new era of maritime exploration. Between 2014 and 2022, Whitelum and Carausu embarked on an awe-inspiring voyage spanning over 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles). This staggering distance encompasses four trans-Atlantic crossings and a single Pacific Ocean crossing, a testament to their unwavering commitment to adventure.
Conclusion: Sailing La Vagabonde stands as a testament to the boundless spirit of exploration and the extraordinary potential of digital platforms to showcase life’s grand adventures. With a dedicated audience of over 1.85 million subscribers, Whitelum and Carausu have not only cultivated a community but also inspired a new generation of seafaring enthusiasts. As they prepare to embark on the next leg of their journey aboard the eagerly awaited Rapido 60 trimaran, the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this captivating maritime saga.