May 20, 2025
By now, you might all be thinking, “Dang, the crew of One Ocean is looking GOOD!” Well, that’s thanks to Mustang Survival!
Back in January, our crew for the Around the Americas Expedition presented at the Seattle Boat Show for over a week. It was a long haul, but so worth it—we made incredible connections and met the most wonderful people.
We had a long list of things we needed for both the boat and the crew, including sailing gear. So we walked the show floor asking folks what gear they recommended. The overwhelming answer? Mustang.
Naturally, I did my research and discovered that Mustang’s main office is in Burnaby, BC—my childhood backyard! I was thrilled. More than anything, I wanted to support a Canadian company—especially at a time when the first round of tariffs were about to be imposed. Many Canadian vendors we’d befriended were heartbroken. I was embarrassed, devastated, and angry that such policies were hurting a country I love so dearly—Canada, the kindest neighbor the States could ever ask for, and home to my friends and family.
Determined to help, I brought the idea to the One Ocean crew—and, unsurprisingly, they were all in.
So, off we shopped.
We bought our dinghy davit system from Derek and Glenn at SeaWise Marine, and we absolutely love it! They had just taken over the company and told us that over 80% of their customers were American. As tariffs loomed, they were anxious. We apologized—and we bought. And in the process, we made new friends.
Next came the Watt&Sea Hydrogenerator, another way to use the speed of the boat to turn an immersed propeller and produce electricity. The company is from West Vancouver and because Mike was looking for ways to lower our carbon footprint, this just seemed the right fit.
And finally, we found the Mustang booth. I struck up a conversation with one of their reps who was incredibly kind. After hearing about our expedition, they said it sounded like something Mustang would be interested in supporting—and that the president of the company would be visiting the show later that week.
So, every day, I stopped by the Mustang booth for an update. Finally, the rep told me the president's name: Kenny Ballard.
I stuttered, “Kelty? Kenny?”
You see, Kenny and his wife Kelly had been our closest friends in Boulder, Colorado, years ago. Back then, Kenny worked for an outdoor brand called Kelty. I met Kelly in a baby group after my first child, Aidan, was born. We became fast and fierce friends. I didn’t know a soul in Boulder after moving there from BC, and that baby group changed everything.
The rep confirmed: yes, that Kenny Ballard. Now… Mustang Kenny!
The reunion was brief but beautiful—and the best part? It reconnected me with long-lost friends.
And yes—Mustang Survival became our sponsor.
So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you Mustang Survival, and thank you Kenny Ballard. We’re proud to be rocking Mustang.
With gratitude,
Jenn & the One Ocean crew