MAKING WAVES: Aolani Catamaran Sailing with Santa

Sailing with

SANTA

By Lindsay Maphet Photos by Spring Dyer Photography

It is not every day that you get to see the Coronado Bridge from its underbelly but it is nearly every day for us, onboard my family’s business, Aolani Catamaran Sailing. There is truly something special about seeing Coronado from its surrounding waters, a view that gives perspective and appreciation for a place we have been lucky to call home my entire life. As we approach our 20th year in business my appreciation only grows for the city I grew up in and all those that have supported us over the years.

Two decades ago my family and I were on a Hawaiian vacation sitting on the shores of Waikiki Beach watching the catamarans host an array of visitors when my dad, Bruno Schwarz, turned to us and said, “let’s make that our family business in San Diego.” And so it began. We became the fi rst private charter sailing catamaran of its size to take up to 48 guests out on San Diego Bay and while it wasn’t my fi rst job, it was certainly my favorite. Some days I would return home from Coronado High School, quickly change clothes, and head to our boat to help host guests during a private sail. I have grown up with the business and all the families that have joined us and for that I am truly grateful. From hosting the Coronado High School water polo team end-of-season party, to friends birthdays, a Sail with Mayor Bailey to raise money for the Coronado Schools Foundation, Navy SEAL graduations and Naval Air Station North Island pilot retirements; we have done it all with those who call this town home and it has been such a joy.

The Aolani catamaran pulls up to the Seaforth Coronado Boat Rental Dock to disembark guests from their one-hour Santa sail.

Local families enjoyed meeting Santa and taking photos with him while onboard the Aolani Catamaran.

Santa provided a bit of Holiday magic and entertainment during the sail which all ages thoroughly enjoyed.

As the world shut down in March of 2020, Aolani Catamaran Sailing was forced to shut down operations like many of those around us. We soon learned to navigate new waters and began hosting guests outdoors only, implementing new protocols and safety measures. By December of 2020 it seemed like event after event continued to get cancelled and as a mother of two daughters, I decided it was up to me to create an opportunity for the families of Coronado to experience some Christmas magic, Santa and all. We embarked on our fi rst ever “Sail with Santa” where we allowed the purchase of individual public tickets, a rare opportunity since our parties are all private. We promised hot chocolate, photos with Santa outdoors thanks to local Spring Dyer Photography, as well as holiday merriment and memories to last a lifetime. Guests boarded our catamaran at Coronado’s Seaforth Boat Rental Dock and it was a huge success.

This year, Aolani Catamaran Sailing is proud to host our 2nd annual Sail with Santa on Saturday December 11th. We will be departing from our home port at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, located directly across from the San Diego International Airport; however, we continue to promise views of the Coronado Bridge, photos with Santa and incomparable holiday joy as you soak in San Diego from a fresh perspective. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $55.00 per child and $75.00 per adult with a portion of proceeds going directly to Toys for Tots. We hope to see you onboard again with us this year and we thank you endlessly for years of celebrating your milestones with us. Merry Christmas, Coronado!

• Lindsay Maphet is a freelance writer from Coronado and works for her family's San Diego based business, Aolani Catamaran Sailing.