Meet Captain Genevieve Evans, the founder of Go Sail Virgin Islands, a premier learn-to-sail masterclass and vacation charter in the stunning US Virgin Islands.
Born and raised in Montana, Genevieve’s love for sailing began at the age of 16, when she first experienced the thrill of freedom on the water. Years later, disillusioned with corporate life, she rekindled this passion, embarking on a transformative sailing adventure in 2009 in the Abaco Islands (Bahamas) that would redefine her life. It was during this adventure that she met Captain Erik, a solo sailor who would forever change her path. Together, they embarked on a six-month, 1,500-mile journey through the Bahamas on his 29ft monohull sailboat, an experience that solidified Genevieve’s resolve to pursue sailing as her future.
One late evening, Genevieve’s life took an unexpected turn when a tragic accident involving a close friend shattered her routine. This heartbreak event deeply impacted her, causing her to reevaluate her priorities and appreciate the preciousness of life while strengthening her resolve to live with purpose. Sailing became her path to healing and empowerment, leading her to found Go Sail Virgin Islands and Go Sail Flathead Lake. Through these ventures, Genevieve not only teaches the technical skills of sailing but also inspires others to embrace challenges, pursue their dreams, and discover their inner strength.
As a Master Instructor with a 50 TON Near Coastal USCG license, she not only teaches the technical skills of sailing but also inspires her students to embrace challenges, pursue their dreams, and discover their inner strength. Join us as Genevieve shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of following one’s passion in the face of adversity.
What initially inspired your love for sailing? And how did that passion first develop when you were growing up in Montana?
Captain Genevieve Evans: I was born and raised in Montana and spent many summers on Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana near Glacier National Park. When I was 16, the neighbor came by and asked me if I wanted to go sailing on his Hobbie cat.
Before I knew it, we were flying across the top of the water without a sound. It was an overwhelming feeling of freedom and capability that I hadn’t ever felt before. I started sailing as often as I could.
Can you share more about the sailing adventure you embarked on in the Bahamas in 2009 that redefined your life’s path?
Captain Genevieve Evans: In the spring of 2009, I signed up for a ASA Sailing course in the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. During that class, I met a solo sailor who would forever change my life, Captain Erik Johnson.
Eventually, we decided to sail together on his 29 ft monohull sailboat on a winter cruise of the Bahamas. Think of the YouTube channel epic adventure without the camera. Captain Erik and I cruised and island-hopped about 1500 miles of the Bahamas and for about six months.
While on this fascinating journey, finally free from what society says, I had the opportunity to reflect on what was possible, to find my purpose. By the time my sailing trip came to an end, I was certain of one thing. There’s no possible way I could go through my life without sailing in my future.
How did that experience impact your perspective on sailing and your future?
Captain Genevieve Evans: I found my passion and my purpose through sailing. Sailing filled the void that the corporate world couldn’t, and I was inspired to explore a passion.
Sailing is empowering because it creates self-reliance and confidence in your ability to solve problems. I really found out about my capacity to handle risk and get out of my comfort zone. It has really helped me grow in all aspects of my life.
Can you speak on the tragic accident that ended your close friend’s life and how that event ultimately strengthened your resolve to live with a greater purpose? How did sailing become a source of healing and empowerment for you in the aftermath of that loss?
Captain Genevieve Evans: When I tell people about my close friend, Lee Sanford, who died during a swimming accident on the Salmon River in Riggins, ID, in the summer of 2009, it is heartbreaking. I try to see it as cathartic and healing because even though it was a tragedy, he would want people to grow from the experience and not dwell. We want to talk about him and laugh about great stories, not cry. When something like that happens you stop and realize how precious our time is. You can not help but make a move towards what you really want and consider the possibility of what will become.
After this loss, I was searching for that feeling of possibility, and I leaned into my memories of sailing when I was younger. I made plans to learn more about sailing, and I set off for class in the Bahamas. I met Erik. And then I took a sailing journey in the Bahamas and then became a Captain. Lee really believed in living life fully, and I knew I could honor his memory by pursuing a life that is well-lived with purpose.
What motivated you to found Go Sail Virgin Islands and Go Sail Flathead Lake, and what is your mission in creating these sailing ventures?
Captain Genevieve Evans: Go Sail Flathead Lake in Montana was founded in 2016 to offer sailing accessibility and education for people in the inland Northwest. When I was looking for formal lessons on my hometown lake, I was surprised to find out how challenging it was to find a certified school, an instructor, or get into the yacht club.
Dayton Yacht Harbor was stereotypically, mostly men and women in their 60s and 70s who gave a newcomer a sideways glance and not a welcome feeling. I collaborated with the reluctant Harbor Manager to let me start an ASA school and use their boats for the lessons.
Now 8 years later, there is a wealth of younger sailors and the dock is completely full of new boats and new sailors. The yacht club members now welcome Go Sail and the vitality it brings with the next generation of sailors.
Once I realized my life as a Captain would be best spent in tropical conditions, the US Virgin Islands quickly became the best answer because it is an American territory. You can move there and start working as a US citizen immediately.
I earned my USCG Captain’s Licence and worked as a sailing instructor. I taught for other schools for about ten years, and I felt like the students did not get the communication support they needed up front. They did not have the tools to prepare adequately for the hands-on learning they needed. The boats were not well maintained and the students would end up disappointed. I hated that, so I decided to start my own school. Our mission is to offer the highest quality of instruction for students to gain the confidence they need to sail anywhere.
As a female entrepreneur in the sailing and adventure travel industry, what have been some of the key challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
Captain Genevieve Evans: First, I worked as an ASA Instructor in the Virgin Islands on liveaboard learn-to-sail vacations. When students would meet me for the first time at the dock, I was afraid of their judgments, and they were afraid of my lack of experience. There was a lot of bias on both of our parts. I wanted to prove that I was enough. And they wanted to learn from the best. I had to have unwavering confidence with a huge amount of humility. And I used my strengths of communication, empathy, and creativity to reach each and every student on their level and focus on a customized course based on their needs.
Starting the Sailing school in the Virgin Islands was a huge undertaking, but I had oceans of knowledge about the area. At first, I wanted to make sure we presented our schools as masculine and fundamental, almost rigid in outward appearance. I wanted people to think this is a reputable school with a disciplined planned curriculum. I feared customers would see a school run by a woman as less credible or not serious. Then we started seeing more and more couples and solo female travelers joining our courses. The women preferred a female captain and the unique cruising couples courses. The customers really enjoyed being heard and getting a customized sailing course for them as a student of sailing. We started customizing our curriculum and it was exactly what the customers wanted. The key is to stand out in ways that are valued by the customer.
It is rare to have a female captain and an ASA instructor, and even rarer to have a women-owned sailing school, let alone two schools, 2500 miles away from each other. I have often felt like a misfit in leadership in regard to sailing. I already stand out, so I might as well take something that is a fact and make it into an advantage.
Our mission is to create a customized learn-to-sail experience to fit the student’s unique needs, regardless of their background or gender. Our company culture reflects patience and respect for all customers. Kindness is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a place to share your dreams and we can help you get on that path. You will be seen, your expectations will be exceeded, and you will gain the confidence you need to sail anywhere. The core values are of the greatest importance, and they are what really motivates our crew to be the best not only for ourselves but also for the students.
How has your background and experience in the corporate world influenced your approach to building and leading your sailing businesses?
Captain Genevieve Evans: Sailing has been a lifelong passion for me. But I dabbled in quite a few other professions before making it a full-time career in 2010. I’ve been an auto mechanic, grocery store remodel manager, and self-employed pie baker. Each of these positions has provided me an opportunity to learn a new set of skills that, interestingly, all apply to running a sailing business. I learned to manage people, how to sell, and how creating trust with customers is paramount.
Sailing and small business have several things in common, self-reliance, gaining confidence through practice, and high-risk tolerance. This also helps me to deliver an unconventional leadership style to break down stereotypes in sailing instruction. My family has an entrepreneurial background, and my sailing business carries on that tradition.
Can you share a particularly meaningful story or experience that exemplifies the transformative power of sailing that you’ve witnessed in your students?
Captain Genevieve Evans: We love to share our students’ sailing stories. Everyone has a unique story to tell, and it is so inspirational to read. You can view these stories on our website.
I want to share a story with you about our Captain JT. In 2015, I taught a course starting in St. Martin and ending in the British Virgin Islands. I had two students, and we had a week to go on a cruise over to the US Virgin Islands. We started by planning our route, and it ended up being a great week.
Captain JT fell in love with sailing and spent as much time sailing as he could over the next seven years. He gained his Captain’s license, became an ASA instructor, and now teaches for Go Sail Virgin Islands. He has a great teaching style, and the students get so much out of his experience. This was a transformative life change for JT, and it started with curiosity.
How do you think the sailing industry can continue to become more accessible and inclusive, especially for women and other underrepresented groups?
Captain Genevieve Evans: We can get more local Caribbean Island captains and create opportunities for everyone. Women in leadership have a natural way of inspiring change. I would like to encourage more women to see themselves in leadership roles.
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be you. The future of sailing is becoming more inclusive when we all make an effort.
What advice would you give to other women who are seeking to pursue their passions and find purpose, even in the face of adversity?
Captain Genevieve Evans: Own your truth. Your thoughts are energy and intention, which creates reality. The only thing constant in life and sailing is change. When I set out to become a captain, I really had no idea what I was in for. It took years of time on the water and several training classes. I devoted years at sea and applied for the USCG Coast Guard License in 2012.
After working in the Virgin Islands as a first mate for tour boats, cleaning boats, and trying just about every job you can think of to get experience. I met some sailing instructors who mentored and helped me gain the large Catamaran experience needed. I got a job teaching weeklong American sailing courses in the Virgin Islands on 50-foot catamarans.
During the first ten years of captaining, I became a Master American Sailing Instructor. Now I get to share my love of sailing and pay it forward through mentoring and training new instructors. There is pure joy in finding your purpose, and I was meant to be a sailor, a teacher, and an entrepreneur. Thus “Go Sail Flathead Lake” and “Go Sail Virgin Islands” were born. Through these businesses, I have found that I didn’t just love sailing— I needed to share my love for sailing with new students.
Now as the CEO of two sailing schools, I travel all over the world with sailing connections. When the opportunity presents itself, a life of a sailor, a life of epic adventure, a bit of unknown, grab that purpose unicorn and sail towards the horizon.
Standing out in the light and being seen as different is the best way to share your voice. Don’t fit in, be the change you want to see in the next generation.
Where do you see the future of your sailing businesses and the growth of the adventure travel industry heading in the next 5-10 years?
Captain Genevieve Evans: I see the future of adventure travel as active vacations where multi-generational families explore an adventure together.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Captain Genevieve Evans: Thriving is innovation and distinction, not following the status quo. Don’t try to fit in, when you are meant to stand out.
Want to learn more about Captain Genevieve Evans and Go Sail Virgin Islands? Visit https://www.gosailvi.com/
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
