CREW
Stefan & Erica – The Hearts and Hands behind Project Vago
The Captain
Born and raised Switzerland, Stefan has always been drawn to movement, adrenaline, and the freedom of outdoors’ activities. From a young age, anything involving water or boards sparked his energy — snowboarding, wakeboarding, and eventually, kitesurfing and wing-foiling became part of his rhythm. For the past five years, he’s been chasing wind and waves with his kite.
Sailing entered his life as a shared adventure with Erica after they moved closer to Lake Geneva. At first, it was just something new to explore together. But it quickly grew into something deeper — a personal challenge, a craft to master, and a lifestyle with real purpose. He wasted no time, earning his sailing and offshore licenses in quick succession, each milestone reinforcing the feeling that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
And then came VAGO — not just a boat, but the only kind he ever envisioned to call home. As if by fate, it appeared at the right time, in the right place — and Stefan was ready.
First Mate
The sea lived in her imagination long before she ever set foot on a boat. It wasn’t until life brought her to Switzerland — and to Stefan — that her dream began to take shape.
Living near Lake Geneva offered the first real opportunity to chase it.
Step by step, she immersed herself in the world of sailing. From regatta training on the lake to offshore passages across the Mediterranean, the coast of Brittany, and the Canary Islands, every mile added something new — not just experience, but transformation.
The crews she sailed with and the rhythm of life at sea challenged her to reflect, grow, and rediscover herself.
Sailing has become more than a skill — it’s a path to freedom, courage and conscious living.
Now, as First Mate of VAGO, she’s continuing to expand her knowledge and is more ready than ever to set sail with intention and heart.
Our journey from corporate life to full-time sailors
It was a match
Since the beginning we would go out for adventures every weekend and would follow our natural flow.
Dream Trigger
Coming to work for a big company by the lake got us closer to our element: water. We took the advantage to start sailing immediately. Thanks to this career move I started questioning my ambitions and rethinking what is important to me and what I want.
Lake Permit
Before the Offshore license we had to pass the lake permit. Clubs and local schools played a great role in educating us.
Captain Stefan
He was really motivated and started doing his homework as soon as he could.
Signing for Vago
The contract was put black on white and with it the countdown to our life-change.
First Mate to be
My turn to study and pass the Offshore exam.
VAGOBEANIE was born
Creative time : sewing VAGO´s curtains, learning crochet and bringing the first VAGOBEANIE to life.
Moving out
“Normal life”
Moving in
Adventurous, auto sufficient and remote salty new chapter