Tyson did most of his growing up in Cove, Oregon with a massive population of 500 people During his youth he sailed with his family on their 21ʹ San Juan sloop. However, when his parents decided to take a year off and build a log cabin, they had to sell the family boat to pay for the new well. Tyson was heartbroken – he loved being on the water.

But never fear, his parents bought him an 8ʹ Jester sailing dinghy on his 8th birthday. He was sick that day so they put the dinghy in his bedroom and let him sleep in it – he was hopelessly “hooked” on boats at that point. Sorry about that Tyson – hahaha.

During junior high and high school, he took every shop class offered and helped build several Phil Bolger and other designs with whatever materials the class could scrape together. After attending college for a couple years studying history, Tyson realized he really wanted to work with youth and boats. He was able to land a volunteer position at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle and for 9 months engaged in youth programs centered around boats and life learning (in addition to being the night watchman).

Next, it was off to finish college and then on to work as a youth mentor at Lutherwood Camp for 9 months of the year, with 3 months each year working on his Captains license aboard the Lady Washington tall ship (check out HOWB 003 for an interview about her). In 2011, Tyson came full circle and landed at the Center for Wooden Boats as their Youth Program Manager.

Tyson has had some really awesome experiences with boats, youth, education, and the high seas.

------------------------------------

You can contact me at [email protected] to share your comments, feedback, stories, and wooden boat adventures.

Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden Boat Dan over and out :D

PS Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago - some of the links, email addresses, phone numbers, and promos mentioned are outdated and no longer valid.