Erica Lichty

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Erica Lichty has been influenced by the ocean her whole life. Her father’s a boat captain and mother’s a designer — in turn Erica became a bit of both trades, sailing the San Juan Islands as a family and working alongside her mother on job sites.

After graduating from the California State Maritime Academy and working on oil rigs and supply boats, Erica eventually applied her learned skills in the yacht world. She’s spent the last 22 years as a self-made interior yacht and residential designer, and has always maintained a healthy involvement in the PNW outdoor community.

Erica has founded her own company called SEASTR — a women centric non-profit organization focused on advocating for women in and on the water through storytelling, and opening doors to water based activities by increasing access and encouraging engagement.

Erica offers stand up paddle boarding clinics, seasonal surf camps and opportunities for sailing and adventure racing to empower and support women on their journey towards physical and mental well-being. She uses the PNW waters to optimize the human/environment connection and engage people in their own process of evolution. SEASTR has procured a sailing vessel named Valkyrie, which will be used to expand the tools available to women on the water.

"The lack of female representation in outdoor sports is crushing, and SEASTR hopes to be of some service — not only to encourage play but to challenge, grow and recover. There is an irrefutable link between us and our Environment, and it’s up to us to re-connect and create some symbiosis."

Erica competed in the Seventy48 in 2021 and 2022 — a 70 mile human powered race in the Salish Sea that must be completed in 48 hours. She became the first female to finish the race on a SUP two separate times and in record timing. Erica’s story and advocacy efforts were captured in the documentary film Stand Up by Vester Media and Our World Films, alongside her racing accomplice Jeanine.

“Stand Up follows two women who champion against female marginalization and cultivate community through water sports. Both moms and athletes, they stand up paddle board a 70 mile race in 48 hours to empower, encourage, and raise awareness.”

Stand Up has been featured on tour across the Pacific Northwest — at Wasatch Mountain Film Festival, Gig Harbor Film Festival, and Tacoma Film Festival, and has had 9 different film premiers at various surf & paddle shops.

When Erica’s not running her nonprofit organization or competing in paddle races, she's also the paddle columnist for the Northwest Maritime Center’s magazine 48North, and a Maritime Education Coordinator for the new Maritime High School in Seattle.

Fast Facts (and Personal Achievements):

• Accomplished sculler, snowboarder, runner, stand up paddle boarder and surfer.
• Founder of SEASTR — a women centric non-profit organization focused on advocating for women in the maritime industry through storytelling, and opening doors to water based activities by increasing access and encouraging engagement.
• Completed the Seventy48 in 2021 and 2022 — a 70 mile human powered race in the Salish Sea that must be completed in 48 hours. She became the first female to finish the race on a SUP two separate times and in record timing.
• Paddle columnist for the Northwest Maritime Center’s magazine 48North and a Maritime Education Coordinator for the new Maritime High School in Seattle
• Certified First Aid CPR Certified / PSUPA Instructor / PADI Certified Open Water Diver / 100 Ton Vessel Captain / MOM.

Erica’s gear of choice: Greenwater 35L Submersible Deck Bag

Follow Erica’s journey:

www.seastrpnw.com | Facebook | Instagram | Watch Stand Up

Photos: Douglas Fir Photography