Galia Moss from Mexico is preparing to sail solo from Mexico to
Israel where she will make Aliyah. The Jewish Agency is a major
sponsor of this journey.
May 27, 2010 / 14 Sivan 5770
Galia Moss is setting her sails on Israel.
Literally.
In October, the Mexican Jew will sail solo from Mexico to Israel, crossing the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The 7,000-miles voyage is expected to take up to 65 days.
The Jewish Agency is a major sponsor of Galia's journey.
"This is a very unique way of making Aliyah," said Ofer Dahan, Director of Program Marketing for the Aliyah and Absorption Department of the Jewish Agency, who added that once they heard about Galia's endeavor they decided to lend their support.
This is but the next feat for this record-breaking athlete who in 2006 was the first Mexican and Latin American to sail solo across the Atlantic from Spain to Mexico.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Galia grew up attending a Jewish school, spent time living in Israel and plans on making Aliyah after she arrives.
"Since the age of nine I've always wanted to live in Israel," Galia told the JEWISH AGENCY during a recent speaking tour in the United States. "So when I decided to do this project, I decided why take a plane? This way I can set a record and also represent both Mexico and Israel, uniting the two most important countries in my life?"
Galia, 35, has been a competitive athlete since childhood, including representing Mexico in Israel's Maccabiah Games. She excels in swimming, running and yoga, but at the age of 25, inspired by the tales of an American girl who sailed solo around the world, she set her sights on a new challenge: Seamanship.
"I thought this sounded incredible so I trained myself to sail," she said, adding that competitive athletes are always on the lookout for the next difficult and unique challenge.
Since her dream was to cross the Atlantic alone, she trained for seven years and accomplished her goal in 2006, traversing the Atlantic from Spain to Mexico in 41 days. Her voyage was not just an exercise in determination and endurance – she also sailed for the greater good. Thanks to one of her sponsors who pledged one house for a needy family in Mexico for every eight miles she covered, a total of 684 homes were donated.
Galia Moss speaks to the media in 2006 after sailing solo across
the Atlantic from Spain to Mexico.
For her upcoming challenge, Galia will set sail on October 12 from the port of Veracruz and crisscross the entire northern part of the Atlantic and then across the Mediterranean to reach Herzila. The seven thousand mile voyage will take between 50 to 65 days.
It is not just the distance that is daunting. Just manning the 35 foot (10 and a half meters by three meters) boat is a herculean task. During the day, Galia is captain and crew in one. Even at night when the boat is on autopilot, Galia can only sleep in 20-minute intervals to prevent accidents.
"When I am in the boat I need to be 100 percent focused," she said. "I have to be careful about [avoiding] big boats and containers sailing from America to Europe."
Since she will be completely alone, she has to be prepared – for everything. Her extensive training included learning how to fix her boat when it breaks down, which it inevitably will. She also learned how to "fix" herself in terms of first aid.
As if this isn't enough, twice a day she will update her webpage, blog, and post photos and videos.
For the curious, Galia can re-heat prepared food and boil water in the boat's camping kitchen, but she will not be able to eat fresh fruits or vegetables during her voyage.
As much as she is looking forward to the challenge ahead, Galia is even more excited about its final destination.
"I'm really looking forward to going to Israel," she said.