Velina Barnes

Broker

Email: velina@swiftsureyachts.com
Cell/text: 510.697.1418

Growing up in Florida, I spent every spare moment on the water—swimming, scuba diving, water skiing, fishing, or sailing. The beauty and power of the wind and ocean have always felt like home to me. As a child, I explored Florida’s west coast and the Keys with my father, grandfather, and sisters, creating a lifelong connection to the sea that feels woven into my DNA.

My fascination with weather began early, and it remains a passion today—I still enjoy predicting wind patterns days in advance. After college, I briefly relocated to Austin, Texas, but it didn’t take long to realize how deeply I missed the ocean and the sunsets over open water. When I later traveled to Southern California for interviews, I joined a sailing trip to Catalina Island aboard an 82-foot schooner with a group of near-strangers. As we returned to Dana Point at sunset, I knew I was meant to live by the sea again, and accepted the job the next day.

That decision eventually led me to Northern California, where I met my husband and began sailing on San Francisco Bay. We raced and explored the Bay and Ocean together, and a few years ago we purchased our Saber 426, Second Wind. Since then, we have sailed the Pacific Coast from Washington to Santa Barbara and from San Francisco to Hawaii with the Pacific Cup, and then down to the Society Islands in the South Pacific. The experience of wind, waves, whales, and the deep blue ocean continues to be endlessly fulfilling.

While I have enjoyed many pursuits on land—including golf, competitive tennis, skiing, and equestrian sports—I am always drawn back to the marine world with a strong desire to build my life and career around the water. I value long-term relationships that often grow into lasting friendships, a philosophy that aligns naturally with Swiftsure Yachts’ mission to serve as a trusted, long-term resource for clients worldwide. It is both a privilege and a pleasure to guide clients in finding the right vessel for their unique needs, and I am honored to work alongside the exceptional team at Swiftsure Yachts, whose knowledge and dedication to the boating world are second to none.