Aged 72, Susan was the oldest sailor in the Pacific Puddle Jump 2005, and arguably the most fearless. Alone aboard Dharma, a small 32-foot sailboat, she sailed to French Polynesia with nothing but her courage for company.

Over six feet tall with a direct, open gaze, Susan learned to sail at 16 and knew by 20 that her life would be shaped by putting out to sea. Once a soldier, she now devotes her days to finding a place where she can at last drop anchor—maybe in the Marshalls, Samoa, or Palau. If no island appeals to her, she will continue on to Thailand, where she owned a house before the 2004 tsunami. An ocean-going life that echoes her determination.

In their thirties and free from all ties, Sally and Sam found in Moana their gateway to freedom and the sea. As they carefully refitted their sailboat, they discovered something remarkable—its home port had once been Bora Bora.

Ever since then, one thought obsessed them: sailing to the pearl of the Pacific in an attempt to find anyone who once knew their boat. A circle of fate, a symbolic journey back to the roots of Moana—Tahitian for ‘ocean.’

Both blind, Pam and Scott changed the way we look at sailing. When they announced they were taking part in the Pacific Puddle Jump, many thought it was a joke. But their meticulous preparation and sense of humor quickly dispelled any doubts.

Their trans-Pacific crossing represented more than a maritime feat. It was a declaration of courage and freedom. They proved that new horizons belong to those bold enough to imagine them.

Shirley and Russ, married at 15, discovered a love of the sea late in life. The best part? Shirley cannot swim. But that did not stop them from casting off to live their dream.

From regattas to stopovers, the Irish couple are now enjoying their retirement on the waves, their bond as strong as ever, proving that the ocean rewards sailors who manage to overcome their fears.

Anduril was unlike any other boat. It was built by Don’s father and had already sailed round the world. In 2005, Don set sail again with Erika who he had just married.

“When you find a woman willing to cross the ocean with you, it’s best to marry her before she changes her mind!” joked Don. Their project was to sail for a year between French Polynesia and Hawaii. But the Pacific Ocean often has a way of anchoring hearts.

They built Costa Vida themselves, plank by plank and rivet by rivet. Jean and Mark wanted a boat that would take them all over the world. After leaving Canada for Mexico, they discovered the joys of life at sea.

They charted their route in the Pacific Puddle Jump 2005: the Gambier Islands, then maybe the Pitcairn, Samoan and Marshall Islands, and then back. Or not. With them the wind called the shots.

Former American football players, Mikey and Quinn are impressively built, but disarmingly kind. With limited experience, they embarked on the crossing with infectious energy. They were certainly the first of the Pacific Puddle Jump 2005 fleet to bring out a guitar.

The Dean family—Bill, Karryn and their children, Jackson (12) and Naomi (9)—lived aboard Seafire for over three years. After several postponements—water ingress, injury, boat struck by lightning—2005 marked the year of the big departure.

Their program? French Polynesia, the Cook and Samoan Islands, before exploring Micronesia. A family adventure with the children studying by correspondence, and learning something new every time they weighed anchor.

The only French skipper in the 2005 Pacific Puddle Jump, Bernard took a sabbatical year on Med Viking. He headed to the Marquesas Islands, where he joined his Swedish fiancée Christine, who only had a three-week vacation.