Six Years of Sailing in Lanyu: A Journey That Keeps Bringing Us Back

Every year, at the end of June, our team looks forward to one special trip more than any other: it is time to return to Lanyu (Orchid Island). This year marks the sixth consecutive year that our sailing school has traveled to Yayo Elementary School to teach sailing as part of the school's annual Ocean Week, a tradition that has grown into one of the projects we are most proud of.

How It All Began

Lanyu is one of Taiwan's most remote inhabited islands. Located almost 100 nautical miles southeast of Taitung, the volcanic island rises from the middle of the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, visitors can see Taiwan's main island to the northwest and, looking south, even catch a glimpse of the northern islands of the Philippines. As a result, life on Lanyu has always been closely connected to the sea, making it the perfect place for children to discover the joy of sailing.

This story began six years ago, when Yueming Elementary School in Yilan generously donated five Optimist sailboats to Yayo Elementary School. The school's principal had a simple but ambitious vision: if the island had sailboats, the children should also have the opportunity to learn how to use them. Lucky for us, Taitung Sailing School was then invited to travel to Lanyu each June to introduce sailing to the students during Ocean Week; what began as a one-time collaboration has since become a lasting partnership.

Building a Long-Term Project

As the years passed, it became clear that a sustainable sailing program required more than boats alone. In 2022, thanks to generous donations from local businesses in Taitung, we were able to purchase a safety boat, install a floating dock, and provide spare parts to keep the Optimist fleet in good condition. These improvements transformed the project from an annual visit into a long-term sailing program that continues to benefit every new generation of students.

At the end of every school year, every child at Yayo Elementary School participates in Ocean Week. Throughout the week, students experience a variety of ocean sports, including sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), swimming and snorkelling. Before summer vacation officially begins, our instructors travel to the island to spend a week teaching, learning, and sharing unforgettable experiences with the students. We are honoured to contribute to a program that celebrates the ocean not simply as a place to visit, but as part of everyday life.

Sailing to Lanyu

In 2024, a member of our team suggested, "We're a sailing school... we should sail there instead of taking the ferry."

The idea quickly became a challenge.

That year, we set sail from Taiwan with students, teachers, parents, and friends aboard, crossing nearly 100 nautical miles of open Pacific Ocean. After 21 hours at sea, including sailing through the night, we finally reached Lanyu. As we entered the harbour, one of our youngest sailors smiled and said, "Sailing to Lanyu only took us 21 hours."

For our team, arriving under sail felt like much more than completing a voyage. It represented a milestone for sailing in Taiwan and demonstrated what young sailors can achieve with preparation, teamwork, and determination. Better yet, the crossing became more than a one-time adventure. In April 2025, we completed another successful voyage, this time departing from Kaohsiung and rounding Taiwan's southernmost cape before crossing to Lanyu through rough seas and powerful currents. Just a few months later, we once again sailed to the island with students and their families to take part in Ocean Week and continue teaching the children of Yayo Elementary School.

Although this year's planned crossing had to be cancelled because of weather conditions, the tradition continues, and we are already looking forward to making the journey again.

Sailing Around the Island

Some of our most unforgettable memories have come while exploring Lanyu itself. Launching from Longmen Harbor, our young sailors ventured into open Pacific waters, navigating around the island's dramatic southern coastline where the Kuroshio Current collides with volcanic reefs. Three Optimist dinghies successfully completed a five-nautical-mile passage to Imowrod Village, experiencing some of the strongest winds, waves, and currents our students have ever encountered. The unexpected landing in the small Indigenous village became one of the highlights of the expedition, marking what we believe to be the first time Optimist dinghies had sailed such a significant section of Lanyu's coastline.

More recently, with the generous permission of the Iranmeylek community, we were also able to sail inside one of the island's most protected bays—a place we hope to continue exploring together in the future. These adventures remind us that even the smallest boats can take us to extraordinary places.

A Community Effort

Projects like this are only possible because of many people working together. We would like to thank the incredible teachers and principal of Yayo Elementary School, our local mom Feng-ting 鳳婷, the generous donors who helped build the program, the parents who continue to place their trust in us, and every instructor who has dedicated their time and energy over the years.

We are also deeply grateful to our friends aboard SV Always Summer, who have supported our crossings to Lanyu and helped transform an ambitious dream into an annual tradition.

Little Sailors, Great Adventures

There are still so many corners of the world waiting to be explored. For us, some of the most meaningful adventures happen in the smallest boats, with young sailors discovering the ocean one voyage at a time. That is what this project has always been about: not simply teaching children how to sail, but helping them build confidence, connect with the sea, and discover that the horizon is never the end of the journey.

Ayoy! Miyo miko do vaey!