David Björkqvist

BIO

David grew up in a small village on an island in the archipelago outside Vaasa, on the west coast of Finland. His family roots stretch back many generations of fishermen and mariners on the island. Living just 100 meters from the sea, his childhood was greatly connected the water and laid a foundation for his future. After serving six months in the Finnish Navy’s mortar company, he worked in construction doing concrete diamond drilling for his brother-in-law, while also studying for a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. During his studies, he gained valuable experience in networking and project management through his active involvement in the student association. During the Covid pandemic, a chance YouTube video introduced him to a style of sailing he hadn’t realized existed. Full-time liveaboard sailors traveling the world sparked his interest to learn sailing himself. Over the next few years, he took sailing and navigation courses and began participating in local sail races. Life took a new turn when he moved with his girlfriend to northeast Sweden. While working as a mechanical designer, he discovered the On The Wind podcast. Listening to the stories from the 59° North team got him truly hooked and inspired him to pursue offshore sailing. He applied and was accepted to sail as an apprentice on FALKEN in 2024. After completing a passage from Sweden to England with 59° North, he continued supporting the business as an apprentice. Since then, he has sailed in the fjords of Bergen aboard ISBJØRN, and most recently crossed the Atlantic from Brazil to the Canary Islands on Adrienne II. He remains part of the 59° North team, contributing to the business and sailing as an apprentice/mate.