Tamara Jacobi
TAMARA JACOBI guides sea kayaking, hiking and surfing tours in addition to managing Tailwind Outdoor, a family-run eco-lodge in the jungles of Mexico. Raised with a passion for endurance expeditions, Tamara has a lifetime of long distance adventure under her belt in backpacking, ‘bikepacking’, sea kayaking and mountaineering. In 2007, she developed the Tailwind vision with her father and brother on an 850-mile self-supported sea kayak adventure and now serves as manager, adventure guide, web designer and hostess for the family’s business.
Born in Vermont, Tamara was raised in Quebec by parents who shared their love of long-distance adventures with her. While attending Middlebury College, Tamara took a semester off to study green building practices that would help develop her family’s eco-lodge after they purchased five acres of jungle on the Pacific coast. She wrote the business plan for Tailwind Outdoor during her senior year, then celebrated her graduation by skiing down the local mountain in her cap and gown.
In addition to her tireless work for Tailwind Outdoor, Tamara’s diverse resume ranges from guiding adventures in Hawaii, installing solar panels in Colorado, and working on an organic farm in Oregon. While she has also biked 2,000 miles along the Continental Divide and trekked the 220-mile John Muir Trail twice, Tamara considers herself a “water girl” and gains clarity and inspiration from her daily life on the water.
On Inspiration: “Today in my life in Mexico, I hear the sound of the ocean in my dreams and I am out on the water kayaking or surfing nearly every day. Water has some wonderful qualities— it is adaptable, determined, powerful, yet it is graceful, captivating and creative in how it flows. Water also functions in accordance with natural rhythms, which is very important to me, as I am passionate about sustainable lifestyles and living in harmony with the natural world.”
Having recently earned the first globally accredited Sustainability Certification through Travel International, Tamara’s professional goals for 2009 include the development and improvement of Tailwind’s marketing, sustainable operations and management. She is excited about the expansion of the business into retreats for women, family reunions, as well as wilderness, adventure and spiritual retreats. Personally speaking, she also hopes to take more time to nurture herself by connecting with the natural world through trail running, surfing and yoga.
On Adventure: “I have a pin on my favorite bag that asks, ‘What will your story be?’ This is a wonderful reminder to me to embrace life’s adventures—both my own adventures and the adventures of others. No one knows exactly what life will bring them, but everyone has a unique story to tell. As I create my own life story, I draw inspiration from others—their endeavors, their relationships, their goals and their passions.”
Wow, you are very inspiring. I wish you the best in your adventures. Our stories sound somewhat similar, although yours are much longer adventures!
Your adventures are very interesting. I am adventursome like you. I ran 3 marathons before I got married and had kids. I recently got back into competing and I did my first triathlon this summer and look forward to more. I just got finished with my first trail race as well. It was awesome. I live in Atlanta and it isn’t for me at all. I love the outdoors and finding new adventures. I pray everyday that I end up somewhere where I can just step out my door and go for a bike ride, swim or peaceful run. There aren’t many places in Atlanta that are peaceful. I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to like in Utah, Colorado, Vermont or any state that has more outdoor adventure.
Peace,
Mary Lou
Tamara
I love to hear about women who have adventure in them and love to get out and play hard. I am blessed to live in the beautiful state of Utah. I am surrounded year round by outdoor opportunties right outside my door or within a few miles and I love it. The adventures are endless.
Don’t let the guys have all the fun, us women love it too.
Sarah
Hi Tamara,
I saw your picture and thought, “I think I recognize her from Middlebury.” I read your story, and it turns out you did go to Midd! I don’t think we knew each other, but I was a Feb ‘08 graduate and I know I saw you around campus a lot. Thanks for sharing your exciting and inspiring story, and especially the saying, “What will your story be?”. Good luck with Tailwind and furthering your knowledge of sustainable development. Maybe my husband (also a Midd grad) and I will get to visit some day.
Enjoy!
Lynn