LA VAGABONDE
Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu are an Australian couple who have become sailing’s most popular vloggers. Their Youtube channel attracts nearly 4 million views per month, and has 1.2 million subscribers.
“Riley and Elayna have one of the most unique lifestyles I have ever come across,” explains
Nikki Henderson. “Their lifestyle bridges many communities: liveaboard cruisers, Youtube vloggers, social media influencers, sailors, adventurers, freedivers – and now parents.
“They are so relatable, which I think is why they are so successful.
“But don’t be fooled by their modesty – they are solid sailors. Riley was making some very professional and complex decisions on the trip, and they were both absolutely capable of every job on the boat from bow to stern.
“Elayna was in many ways the unsung hero of the trip: victualler, home-maker, sailor and 24/7 mother. The phrase ‘one hand for you, one hand for the boat’ didn’t quite cut it – it was more like one for her, one for the dinner she’s cooking, one for the winch handle, and eyes in the back of her head for Lenny. Lenny spent a 10th of his life on that trip – it was amazing to be a part of.”
“I spend a lot of my year offshore, so had never watched any of their videos – which is unusual for them to experience these days. But while you might think a couple who make videos of their life and live on crowd-funding would be showy or shallow, they were two of the most down to earth, generous and hilarious people I’ve ever met. And now two, I hope and suspect, lifelong friends.”