Sailing with Aloni Ford!

1. You didn’t step into boating until your late thirties. What was the moment or feeling that made you say, “I’m really going to do this”?

I didn’t grow up around boats, but one day in my late thirties, I found myself standing on a dock watching the water move like it was calling my name. It felt like the universe tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Hey girl… it’s time.’ It wasn’t just a moment, it was a pull. I realized I was craving freedom, adventure, and a space where I could bring people together in a really special way. Boating became that portal. Once I felt that breeze hit my face, I knew I wasn’t just going for a ride; I was stepping into the next chapter of my life.

2. You began with simple curiosity, but it quickly turned into a full-blown passion. What about being on the water sparked that transformation for you? 

At first, it was just curiosity, you know that little voice that says, ‘Let’s go see what’s over there.’ But the moment I got out on the water, something clicked. There’s this incredible mix of peace and tranquility you only feel when you’re floating between sky and sea. The water is so therapeutic. 

What started as ‘let me try this out’ turned into ‘oh, this is absolutely my world.’ Every ripple felt like an invitation to explore, to learn, to push myself. I fell in love with how alive I felt, it became adventurous and brought out my fearlessness. That transformation didn’t just happen on the water, the water pulled it out of me.

3. Boating often feels intimidating or exclusive to newcomers. What were your biggest challenges stepping into this world, and how did you overcome them?

Unfortunately, boating can definitely feel intimidating when you’re new, especially if you’re a woman or a person of color stepping into a space where you don’t see many people who look like you. My biggest challenge wasn’t the water, it was walking into marinas and yacht clubs where I felt like an uninvited guest. There were moments I questioned if I belonged.

But here’s the thing: curiosity beats intimidation every time. I asked questions, I took classes, I found mentors, and I refused to shrink myself. And the more I learned, the more I realized boating isn’t meant to be exclusive, it’s meant to be shared.

And that's why I’m so passionate about inviting more people, especially minorities and women, onto the water. When someone sees me at the helm, it sparks something. It tells them, ‘Yes, you can be here too.’ My goal is to turn that spark into a wave of a whole new generation of boaters who feel confident, welcome, and excited to explore life beyond the shoreline.

4. You’ve gone from weekend lessons to competitive racing with the California Yacht Club team. What has racing taught you about yourself? 

Racing has taught me more about myself than I ever expected, especially considering I knew absolutely nothing about boating when I started. I went from weekend lessons to becoming the Vice Commodore of the Women's Sailing Association of Santa Monica Bay in just a couple of years, and that still surprises even me sometimes.

What racing showed me is that I don’t back down from a challenge, I lean into it. It taught me that passion plus consistency can take you places titles can’t even describe. On the racecourse, there’s no faking it. You learn how to trust your instincts, communicate under pressure, and stay calm when the wind shifts on you, which it always does, haha. 

Most of all, racing taught me that I belong in spaces I once never imagined myself in. It proved that a curious, determined woman who shows up again and again cannot only keep up, but thrive, lead, and inspire others to jump in too.

5. As Vice Commodore of the Women’s Sailing Association of Santa Monica Bay, what changes or initiatives are you most proud of bringing to the community?

As Vice Commodore, the thing I’m most proud of is helping open the door a little wider for people who never thought sailing was ‘for them.’ I’ve made it my mission to bring more diversity into the sport, not just in who shows up, but in who feels genuinely welcomed. 

I’ve introduced events that are fun, relaxed, and beginner-friendly, because intimidation disappears the moment people start laughing, learning, and feeling supported. I love creating gatherings where women from different cities, backgrounds, and communities can step onto a dock and think, ‘Oh… this is for me too.’

Watching someone go from nervous to confident — from curious to absolutely hooked — is everything. Whether it’s organizing social sails, educational workshops, or community outreach, my goal has been to make sailing more accessible and inclusive, while keeping it joyful.

If I can help even one person discover the magic of being on the water, then I know I’ve done something meaningful. 

6. Yacht Yoga is such a unique and creative blend. What inspired its creation, and how have women responded to this new kind of on-water wellness?

Yacht Yoga was born from a simple idea: what if we could blend the peace and flow of yoga with the magic of being on the water? I wanted to create a space where women could feel completely free, connected, and a little adventurous at the same time. There’s something about the gentle sway of the yacht, the sound of the waves, and the open sky that makes every stretch feel like it’s expanding your soul.

The response has been incredible. Women tell me it’s transformative and gives them a chance to slow down, laugh, breathe, and reconnect with themselves in a way they’ve never experienced on land. It’s joyful, it’s empowering, and it’s a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be rigid or intimidating. On the water, it’s playful, it’s freeing, and it’s absolutely for everyone (all ages, shapes, sizes, cultures, etc We are very welcoming and friendly to all. 

7. You’ve become a mentor for youth through Jack and Jill of America and the Crown Me Summer Program. Why is introducing young people to the water so vital to you?

Introducing young people to the water has always been deeply personal for me. Growing up, access to boating and water experiences wasn’t something everyone had, and I’ve made it my mission to change that. After the Eaton fires in my hometown of Altadena, I felt an even stronger pull to give back and to show kids that no matter what challenges they face, there are spaces of freedom, joy, and possibility waiting for them.

Through programs like Jack and Jill of America (LA chapter) and the Crown Me Summer Program (Altadena) I’ve had the privilege of mentoring youth, teaching them more about boating and letting them experience the magic of the water firsthand. Kids mean the world to me, and giving them access to these experiences is priceless.

It’s not just about learning to sail but it’s about confidence, curiosity, and the belief that they can navigate any waters life throws at them. Seeing their faces light up when they conquer the waves reminds me why I do this, and why sharing the water is one of the most meaningful things we can do for the next generation.

8. Many of the children you work with have faced hardships, including losing their homes in recent wildfires. What impact have you seen boating and water activities have on their confidence and healing?

Boating has a way of lightening heavy hearts. Many of the kids I work with have faced real hardships, losing their homes in wildfires, dealing with trauma, or feeling weighed down by life’s challenges. When they step onto a boat, there’s an immediate shift. The water has this incredible power to calm, inspire, and give a sense of freedom that’s hard to find anywhere else.

I see their confidence grow with every wave they navigate, every sail they help raise, and every moment they realize, ‘I can do this.’ It’s more than just learning to boat, it’s a metaphor for life, teaching them resilience, courage, and joy. My goal is to encourage them, to show them that even when life feels heavy, there’s space to breathe, to explore, and to rise. Boating becomes a tool for healing, for empowerment, and for inspiring a belief in themselves they might not have known they had.

9. You’re passionate about making boating more inclusive and accessible. In your vision, what does a more diverse boating community look like in the next five to ten years?

In the next five to ten years, I see a boating community that truly reflects the diversity of our cities and neighborhoods with more women, people of color, minorities, young people, and families all feeling welcome and excited to be on the water. My vision is for the Women’s Sailing Association of Santa Monica Bay to grow in a way that keeps sailing affordable, accessible, and fun for everyone, regardless of background or experience level.

I want more people to see themselves in this space, take the helm without hesitation, and feel confident that they belong. That means outreach, mentorship, community events, education, and making sure no one feels intimidated or excluded. A diverse boating community isn’t just about who’s on the water; it’s about creating connections, building confidence, and inspiring a love of adventure that can ripple out into every part of their lives. That’s the future I’m working toward, one wave at a time. 

10. Reinvention can be daunting. What advice do you offer to women who feel called to try something completely new later in life, but don’t know where to begin?

My advice is simple: do it as NIKE said. Don’t let fear, doubt, or imposter syndrome hold you back because it’s all fake and has no power over what you can achieve. Age is just a number, and it’s never too late to start over, follow your passion, or dive into something completely new.

Believe in yourself, show up consistently, and allow curiosity to lead the way. The first step is always the hardest, but once you take it, the possibilities multiply. You can be anything you want to be, and the only limits are the ones you accept. Reinvention isn’t scary, in fact, it’s the most exciting adventure you’ll ever take.