From Big to Small: A New Chapter in Our Love for the Sea
- Raissa Teles
- Apr 5
- 2 min read
Opposites inevitably meet.
We started with Mintaka, our 33-foot sailboat-home. Then we immersed ourselves in learning to sail Tall Ships — these huge vessels with many sails and complex rigging, capable of carrying big groups of people.
Now, we’re exploring a new way of connecting with the sea: aboard a sailing canoe—Polynesian-style, one of the most ancient forms of navigation.
Holopuni is her name. In Hawaiian this means: "To sail wherever you want".
A chance to sail into simplicity, minimalism and ancient wisdom.
We are deeply in love with her.
Together with Cauê — an experienced paddler, sailor, and surfer, as well as the builder of these canoes in Brazil, and our dear pirate wizard Michal, we set off on an expedition from Mogiquiçaba to Arraial D’Ajuda, in southern Bahia, with a spectacular stop in Santo André. We were captivated by the purity of this way of traveling and the perfect balance this vessel offers: we can sail, paddle, and even surf— all in one.
The closeness to the water creates an instant intimacy with the ocean.
Steering is done with the paddle itself, heightening our awareness of every movement and expanding all our senses.
The fact that it’s a small, open vessel, with no shelter or comforts, means we have to travel light, cultivating autonomy and freedom.
Paddling as a team fosters presence and collaboration, creating a deep sense of flow. It is a sport that strengthens the body, a philosophy that nourishes the spirit, an adventure that stirs the emotions, and a challenge that sharpens the mind.
Magic combo, I would say.
Some shots of our journey of about 80km
Between paddling sessions, we’d stretch out in the hammock, eat mangoes, and share stories. And to top it all off, we camped under giant cashew trees on the beach, with an eclipse and a bonfire to keep us company.
In March 2018, we were selling everything to buy our first sailboat: Mintaka, the vessel that sparked our endless love affair with the sea.
March 2025: Seven years later, we celebrate the purchase of our second boat!
Yes, we bought a sailing canoe! This time, not to live aboard, but to embark on expeditions along the Brazilian coast—uniting the ancestral wisdom of navigation with the spirit of true adventure.
More than just connecting deeply with the wind and the sea, we will also be connecting with the coastal communities we visit.
From big boats to small, the love remains the same.
Thank you, Cauê, for the partnership!
Let’s build the most beautiful sailing canoe we’ve ever seen on the water!
If you’d like to learn more about Cauê’s work, check out here: Core Vaa and CPP Extreme.
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