John Neal and Amanda Swan have been teaching, writing about and actually cruising for decades through their Mahina Expeditions
Significantly, this seminar represents offshore sailors working together with the Skagit Valley College marine technical program. John Neal explains, “It started coming together when Mike Beemer, program chairman of Skagit Valley College’s marine tech program, invited us to present our normal seminar at the center last March. From that, the idea to present a two-day program came. It’s almost here now!”
Images from a previous workshop. 
One can feel the excitement. For cruisers thinking about the big cruise to experienced offshore sailors looking to bone up on their skills, it’s a great opportunity. “Anacortes is a great location as there is moorage next to the tech center at Cap Sante, there are very reasonable hotels within walking distance and there is a great pizza place three blocks away that gives us the entire upstairs for pizza, beer and music Saturday night. We are hoping to get the same group of Celtic musicians again this year,”
Pete McGonagle, who has presented alongside Neal and Swan, for the last 15 years, will also be presenting. McGonagle is a principal at Swiftsure Yachts, one of
Here is a pdf with all the info, including the schedule.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.