Meet the Team: Pelayo Secades
Pelayo is no stranger to us. In fact, in fact we are sure that the thousands of pictures taken of him aboard the Draken Harald Harfagre speak for themselves. I met him aboard the Draken in 2016. What I learned about him then is that
1. He really likes good coffee.
2. He is the most photographed man on the ship.
3. He had done this crazy race in Africa.
In fact, I blame Pelayo completely for the creation of the UnSalted Nuts. I heard him telling horrifying stories about the “Kraken Cup” and for some reason, they stuck with me. He didn’t make it out to be a fun run. His team was shipwrecked, battered, and drowned a chicken (His story to tell, not mine). Still, it haunted me. Our participation in 2019 was inadvertently your fault, Pelayo. We love you for it.
When we asked him join us for the Race to Alaska the first phrase was, “I think you are all daft, but…”
Thank you for agreeing to part of the Madness. Below is his Adventure Resume in his own words.
Most of what I’ve done is related to boats and water. I grew up in an island in the Mediterranean so that came naturally and spiraled from there. Luckily, much of my employment has provided the adventuring fix, but since it grows ever hungrier, I do what I can to stave it off. I hope feeding it R2AK this year, I am betting this one will last a while. My adventuring has always consisted in team efforts, solo experiences are perhaps a little daunting, and the company, the stories and the overcoming challenges with others I think is the best of any adventuring endeavour. I make a living off getting hired for some adventure crews, of crewing in expeditions and tallships. If not, I will be rigging yachts, making custom orders in my workshop, or really just learning what I can.
On the water
2012 Ngalawa Race / Kraken Cup - pioneer racer
● Pioneer race test for the Adventurists Kraken Cup. Lost at sea, shipwreck, completion of race. 2018 Ngalawa Race / Kraken Cup - Support Crew
● Support boat for the last edition of the Kraken cup, included Draken Harald Hårfagre, Viking Ship- Watchleader, Rigger, Bosun
● 2011-2013 Sea Trials in Norway
● 2014 Sea Trial North Sea (including demasting)
● 2016 Voyage Norway - New Found Land - Americas
● 2018 USA east coast tour
● 2023 in planning Tallships - crew, rigging
● Lady Washington / Hawaiian Chieftain 2013
● Gothenberg Swedish East Indeaman 2015
● Others..Mathilde Norway, Oliver Hazard Perry derig Yachts
● Sailing since youth, good experience in many different type of sail boats
● Atlantic crossings, Mediterranean sea deliveries, Norwegian coast, Baltic Sea, Indian Ocean
● Traditional boat sailing in Norway
● Boat deliveries Under the water Scuba dive guide - SSI
● Mallorca dive guide
● Norway diving
● Assistant Instructor SSI / Divemaster /Dive guide
● Apnea - decent diver
Vertically above the water
Canyoning and rappelling Other relevant employment
Freelance yacht rigging Stage technician specialist
● Rigging large stages and opera/events
Not so much about adventure
I have a background in Marine Biology (MSc) which quickly gave way to more field activity and eventually a career in adventuring instead. Though nowadays I also manage a makerspace workshop dedicated to creating anything in metal, wood, 3d printing and whatever media I can get my hands on.
Bear handling experience
None, and I hope to keep it that way.
