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Knot Workshop | SOLD OUT
Bora Bora & the Society Islands
The Workshop
Sailing Collective is excited to host our second collaboration with artist Windy Chien exploring the Society Islands in French Polynesia. For seven days living aboard a 55' catamaran, you will have the opportunity to learn from Windy about knots and her creative process. Anyone with a copy of her book, The Year of Knots will already know that she is a natural teacher, and her enthusiasm for making gorgeous objects is infectious.
Raiatea Airport via Tahiti Faaʻa International Airport
The journey includes: Windy Chien as host and artist, a Sailing Collective captain, and a private chef preparing sensational meals daily using locally farmed provisions, and your private cabin aboard.
Cost
There are a total of 4 private suites available at the price of $7,600, each cabin is suitable for up to 2 travelers and 1 single-occupancy cabin is available for $4,640; this cabin is best suited for one person and has a shared bathroom with the crew.
• Double-Occupancy Cabin | 1 CABINS AVAILABLE | $7,600* price per cabin
• Single-Occupancy Cabin | 0 CABIN AVAILABLE | $4,640 price per cabin
* For double occupancy cabins an added course fee will be charged of $1,000 for the second person to participate in the knotting workshop, if you decide to bring a guest who does not want to knot, there is no added course fee.
50% deposit is required to reserve your cabin - proceed with BOOK NOW below to register:
Dates
Mar 29th — Apr 5th 2025
8 days, 7 nights
Location
Society Islands
French Polynesia
Availability
0 Double Cabin
0 Single Cabin
Price
$1000 Single Cabin price per cabin
Itinerary
Raiatea
The second-largest island in the Society Islands, Raiatea is mountainous and lush with plenty of agriculture to make for a plentiful farmers market in Uturoa each day. The Lagoon that surrounds it is almost entirely navigable except for a few impassable sections where sailing yachts must exit a pass in the reef and enter another to continue on around. You can also sail up to Taha’a without leaving the lagoon that they share.
Taha’a
Amidst the Leeward Islands is one of the archipelagos more picturesque islands, Taha’a. Located just north of Raiatea. Sailing between Huahine and Bora Bora, Taha’a is an ideal midpoint to break up the passage and spend a few days discovering all the island’s deepwater coves along the shore and sandy anchorages along the reef.
Huahine
Two islands connected by a low bridge, Huanine Nui (the big island) and Huahine Iti (the smaller) share a lagoon that has limited passes navigable in a sailboat. This is the most easterly island in the Leewards. The experience of sailing to this island will stay with you long after you depart this unique destination, it has a certain magical ambiance. Huahine is even greener with a sprawling jungle that envelopes the twin peaks. Hidden in the thick brush are marae, ancient temples and these mountains are home to more of these archaeological sites than anywhere in French Polynesia.
Bora Bora
The pearl of the Pacific-the very name Bora Bora is synonymous with exotic adventures at the end of the world, but none of the lore and legend prepares you for the feeling of sailing through the impossibly blue waters of the lagoon in the shadow of a sheer cliff face. Bora Bora is so odd in its formation that it takes on radically different shapes and personalities as you sail around it. Viewing the famous spire is like looking for shapes in clouds, ever-changing before your eyes.
Maupiti
Sitting 28 nautical miles west of Bora Bora is the island of Maupiti, often referred to as “little Bora Bora” for its geographic similarities, but culturally the two islands sit an ocean apart. Maupiti has none of the luxurious hotels that ring the lagoon at Bora Bora and the culture of the island is a little more relaxed because of it.
Crew
Lauren Gerrie
Chef
Lauren Gerrie was born and raised in Southern California and moved to New York City 16 years ago to pursue her life as a professional dancer and artist. During college, while serving and cocktailing in restaurants and bars all over lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, she began to explore her deep love of cooking and the unique world that is the service industry. After working and training in Tuscany she returned to NY and began a creative culinary company with her best friend Flannery called bigLITTLE Get Together. She has competed and won on CHOPPED and CHOPPED CHAMPIONS and in 2017 returned to the show as a guest judge. Lauren recently resigned after almost seven years from her role as Marc Jacobs' private chef. She is a partner and pastry consultant for CERVO'S restaurant in the Lower East Side. She continues to work as a private chef and as a food writer for Paper Magazine, Domino Magazine, Furthermore, Counter Service, and other kick ass culinary & lifestyle publications. When Lauren isn't cooking she teaches an all levels adult dance class called MOVES, is a dog mom to her crazy pup Boot, and can be seen biking all over the city.... usually with a back pack of groceries!
Windy Chien
Artist
Artist Windy Chien is best known for her 2016 work, The Year of Knots, in which she learned a new knot every day for a year. Her work ranges in size from a knot that can fit in the palm of a child's hand to room-sized installations that are sought after by private collectors. Following long careers at Apple and as the owner of legendary music shop Aquarius Records, she launched her studio in 2015. Select clients include the National Geographic Society, the De Young Museum, the San Francisco MOMA, Nobu Hotels, Google, and the Kering Group, and her work has been covered by Wired, The New York Times, and Martha Stewart. Windy's book about her work was published by Abrams in 2019.
Ross Beane
Co-Founder, Captain, & Operations
Since a young age, Ross Beane has been relentless about sharing his love of wilderness travel with people wherever he goes. Having worked with programs from Alaska to Maine, he enjoys guiding people of all ages and abilities into beautiful and remote locations to foster technical know-how and an appreciation of the natural world. From having studied outdoor education and wilderness emergency medicine, he brings with him an understanding of risk management that keeps everything safe without compromising fun. On tiny boats, very large ones, and everything in between, Ross has made many safe crossings. He has taught sailing for The Wooden Boat School, New York Harbor Sailing Foundation, and the Manhattan Sailing School before joining Dayyan to help start the Sailing Collective.
The Workshop
The Knot Workshop is an opportunity to learn with Windy about knots and her creative process. You will learn many of the knots that inspire Windy’s work, as well as the elegance and utility of knots used on boats. We will create both functional and artistic objects, with plenty of time to experiment, under Windy’s guidance, on your own projects while sailing. Those who have attended Windy’s workshops in the past will be delighted to learn new knots and have time to perfect the ones you’ve already mastered.
As Windy explains how a line’s journey creates strength and meaning in each knot, she will also detail her own creative journey — and guide you on yours. Windy takes every opportunity to share her in-depth knowledge of an art deeply intertwined with nautical culture. Throughout the journey, participants will get to know the itinerary through a sailor's eye and get to know knots through an artist's lens.
Each day there will be guided knotting, learning a knot or technique from Windy while we sail. There will also be plenty of time to relax and swim and explore your surroundings while we anchor each night at a new location.
The vast majority of the nearly four-thousand named and documented knots come from maritime culture: they are artifacts of human ingenuity, and each is a perfectly designed object. To the intersection of function, mathematics, and history where knots reside, Windy’s practice introduces aesthetics to illuminate what’s most fascinating about them: the journey of the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does a typical day look like?
Windy will facilitate group knotting activities each day, usually while we sail from one island to another. This will typically start with the introduction of a new knot or technique after breakfast in a group setting and then plenty of time with the materials to practice. Lunch is served on-board the boat most days. Afternoons are spent sailing or swiming and each night we will be anchored in a new exciting anchorage and there will be time to explore ashore in places and swim and snorkel around the boat.
Q. Where do we fly into?
Raiatea Airport is the final destination. All international flights fly into Tahiti you will take a shuttle flight from Tahiti to Raiatea. Please plan to arrive at Raiatea airport by 3pm on Saturday March 29th.
Q. Is it worth having a day + layover in Tahiti?
If you have some extra time, absolutely! The Island of Tahiti is easily explored with a rental car and there are many places to stay around the island. From Tahiti you can also take a short ferry ride to Moorea.
Q. How many cabins do the catamarans have?
There are 4 double-occupancy cabins available and one single occupancy.
Q. When should I book?
This trip will fill up very quickly. Reserve your spot now.
Q. Do you have other travel recommendations while we are in this part of the world?
You bet, we love travel and more than happy to offer suggestions. From extending your stay on the island of Raiatea to spending some more time in Bora Bora we are happy to make suggestions.
Q. I’ve never been sailing, should I be nervous?
We focus on safety and comfort above all else. If you are worried about seasickness we recommend bringing medications but we find that most guests do not end up needing any as we sleep each night in a calm anchorage where the motion of the boat is soothing and gentle.
Q. What kind of traveler is a good fit for this journey?
Someone who is comfortable in groups and excited to learn. Life on a sailboat is not physically demanding but we do recommend the trip for people who would feel comfortable climbing up and down a small ladder (as a proxy for the kind of physical strength and dexterity required for daily life on a boat).
Q. What are the cabins like on the catamarans?
There is a bed about the size of a queen mattress with two "porthole" windows for air circulation. There is often air conditioning aboard but we will not be using it all the time.
Q. When and where does the Journey end
We disembark on the island of Raiatea where we started on Sunday April 5th at 9:00 am.
The Workshop
For seven days aboard a catamaran, you will have the opportunity to learn from Windy about knots and her creative process. Anyone with a copy of her book will already know that Windy is a natural teacher, and her enthusiasm for making gorgeous objects is infectious.
The vast majority of the almost four thousand named and documented knots come from maritime culture: they are artifacts of human ingenuity. And each is a perfectly designed object. To the intersection of function, mathematics, and history where knots reside, Windy’s practice introduces aesthetics to illuminate what’s most fascinating about them: the journey of the line.
On our voyage, you will learn many of the knots that inform Windy’s work, as well as the elegance and utility of knots used on boats. We will make functional objects and art objects, with plenty of time to experiment, with Windy’s guidance, on your own projects while sailing. Those who have taken Windy’s workshops in the past will be delighted by new knots to learn as well as time to perfect the ones you’ve already learned.
As Windy explains how a line’s journey creates strength and meaning in each knot, she will also detail her own creative journey — starting with the yearlong project carried out in 2016 to learn a new knot each day into an overview of her current body of work.
The lucky few who have sailed with Windy in the past know that she takes every opportunity to share her in-depth knowledge of an art deeply intertwined with nautical culture. Throughout the Journey, participants will get to know Greece through a sailor's eye and get to know knots through an artist's lens.
Travel Details
Overview:
This journey begins on the island of Raiatea, an island roughly 45 minutes away from the capital island of French Polynesia, Tahiti. All international flights arrive in Papeete, Tahiti and from there you will take a local flight to Raiatea.
*Price listed is per cabin. Please review Terms & Conditions and the Cancelation Policy prior to booking. By booking a cabin, you agree to all Terms & Conditions.
Travel
Airlines:
a) Air Tahiti Nui - LAX to Tahiti
b) United Airlines - SFO to Tahiti
8-hours non-stop from Los Angeles or San Francisco
Daily non-stop service
Leaving Tahiti at night provides early morning arrivals into the US to allow easy connection
Starting Marina & Meet Up Location
Marina Base: Marina Uturoa, Raiatea
Meet Up Location
By Air: Fly direct to Tahiti via the international airport in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Internal flights between Papeete and Raiatea are with Air Tahiti. Airport transfers can be made on request and the base is close to the airport and from Uturoa, the capital of the Leeward Islands. There are also flights to Raiatea from: Moorea, Maupiti, Bora Bora, and Huahine.
Marina Uturoa, Uturoa, Raiatea - The marina is just 5 to 10 minutes away from the airport and when you arrive at the Uturoa airport, any taxi driver will know where DREAM YACHT CHARTER at Marina Uturoa is and be able to take you there.
Arrival Time
Please arrive at the Marina Uturoa in Raiatea between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Day-1. Once crew is finished with the check-in process and guests have all arrived, we will depart the marina for our first anchorage. We'll depart by 4:00 pm to arrive safely at the first anchorage.
Departure Time
On the final day, we arrive at the final marina by 9:00 am. Please notify the Sailing Collective travel team if your departure flight is before 12:00 pm on Day-8 so we can make arrangements for you to get to the airport ahead of time.
Knot Workshop | SOLD OUT
French Polynesia
Dates
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