Untold sea stories from those often left out of the nautical narrative
Join us on Friday, May 9 at 6pm in the Springhill Suites Grand Ballroom (4040 Northwest Drive) for an evening of powerful storytelling, celebrating voices that have been too often left out of maritime history.
You Belong on the Water is a storytelling event featuring speakers sharing transformative experiences around the sea—stories of belonging, resilience, and connection to the water—coming from perspectives of those often left out of the nautical narrative.
Doors open at 6pm, giving you time to find your seat and connect with others before the event begins at 7pm. The program will run until 8:30pm, with each storyteller taking the stage for 4 to 10 minutes to share their personal journey with the sea. Speaker info and bios to come.
Tickets (Limited Availability):
$20 General Admission
$18 Seniors (65+)
$15 Students & Youth (Under 18)
Featured Speakers
Susan Conrad
Adventure Paddler, Author & Explorers Club Fellow
Susan Conrad is a solo expedition kayaker and author who has twice paddled the 1,200-mile Inside Passage from the Salish Sea to Southeast Alaska. She has written three books about her journeys and is currently working on a fourth. Based in Mount Vernon, WA, Susan is a newly elected Fellow of the Explorers Club. Learn more at SusanMarieConrad.com.
Hannah Delapp
Research Vessel Expeditionary Coordinator at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Hannah Delapp is a seasoned maritime professional and oceanography graduate from the University of Washington, currently serving as Research Vessel Expeditionary Coordinator at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. With over two decades of experience in marine operations, she supports global scientific research through strategic vessel scheduling, international permit coordination, and operational compliance under UNOLS and UNCLOS frameworks. Hannah holds a 500 Ton Master Ocean License and has served in leadership roles from First Officer to Safety Director across academic and passenger fleets. A committed mentor and community volunteer, she is also a recipient of the Brier Foundation Scholarship for Women Leading in the Maritime Industry and a NASA Group Achievement Award.
Free Borsey (Tsx’vilum)
Environmental Subject Matter Expert at Setting Sun Institute
Free Borsey (Tsx’vilum) is a Native Environmental Science major at Northwest Indian College and Environmental Subject Matter Expert at the Setting Sun Institute. As a Cultural Survival Youth Fellow, they led the PLANTS podcast on Indigenous youth and environmental topics. Free is also a traditional Salish artist, canoe skipper, and community organizer, with a focus on Indigenous advocacy and environmental education. In 2024, they were co-selected for the Bullitt Prize by Washington Conservation Action.
Tori Ayres
Founder, Dragonfly Kayak Tours
Tori Ayres followed her passion for kayaking from Nashville to Bellingham in 2016, drawn by the healing power of the Pacific Northwest and its waters. She spent her first summer exploring the Salish Sea and has since built a life and business around sharing that love through Dragonfly Kayak Tours. Tori continues to deepen her connection to the water, constantly learning and growing as a paddler. For her, Bellingham is more than home—it’s a paddler’s paradise.
Also featuring: Bella James
Performers will keep stories appropriate for a general audience, but themes may not be engaging or suitable for children under 13. Free on-site parking spaces may fill up quickly, so carpooling, biking, or public transit is recommended. Springhill Suites Grand Ballroom is a wheelchair accessible venue. We strive to make this event welcoming and inclusive for all attendees.
Come listen, reflect, and celebrate the truth that we all belong to the sea.