Prentice “Tripp” Brower
Executive Director/Captain
Tripp grew in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. He was raised on the water. From his earliest years he found the ocean was where we wanted to be. From the age of 13 he taught junior sailing and continued to do so throughout college. From 2008 to 2012 he studied political science with a focus in community development and international political theory at the College of Charleston. After graduating he apprenticed as a wooden boat builder in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2014, driven by his combined passion for his community and for maritime culture, Tripp founded the Lowcountry Maritime School (LMS), a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching young people critical skills and using boat building as a hands-on teaching platform.
In 2019, he resigned from his position as Executive Director of LMS to complete a 2-year circumnavigation of the world. In a partnership with a film maker, he and a friend would sail, film life aboard as well as stories of people all around the world who were working in their communities to preserve culture and environment. The documentary was set to be titled, “Sea Change”. This first expedition was derailed in 2021 as the global pandemic led to border closers all around the world. The crew eventually chose a different route from French Polynesia, to Hawaii and then on to Alaska before heading back South and East to return to South Carolina.
While in Hawaii, Tripp met Kiera Rumbough, and together they began to dream what is now known as “Apparent Winds” and the “Apparent Winds Expedition”.
Tripp is a licensed captain with a USCG 100 ton masters license. He has logged over 50,000 NM at sea. He has been the captain of the 75’ ketch, “Resilience” since 2022 and he is the Executive Director of Apparent Winds. Tripp still remains connected with his community in South Carolina and currently serves on the board of the Lowcountry Maritime School.
Kiera Rumbough
Research Coordinator/ First Mate
Growing up on the shores of New York, Kiera quickly realized the ocean was where her heart was. This passion led Kiera to the University of Miami to study marine biology and graduate cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Marine Science and Biology and minor in Ecosystem Science and Policy. In addition to her studies, Kiera has spent multiple seasons working on a shark research vessel in Tampa Bay with Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA).
After completing her studies, Kiera quickly got to work helping to start a surf company in her home state of New York, while simultaneously working as a stewardess and deckhand on private yachts. On the off-season, she became an active volunteer with the Lonely Whale Foundation; helping to further that organization’s educational impact.
Now Kiera is working to continue her journey in the field of marine biology and environmental preservation as part of the Apparent Winds team. Kiera is our resident biologist and research coordinator.
Graham Roberts
Engineer
Graham has a wealth of knowledge and experience maintaining equipment under extreme and remote conditions. In addition to his degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of California Davis, he has had a long career building and maintaining mechanical equipment for drilling and scientific research in the United States Antarctic Program.
Although he only recently began to follow his passion for bluewater exploration and sailing, as a lifelong surfer and world traveler, he is highly motivated to explore new horizons and make new connections. .
Film Crew
Brooke Raines
Head of Videography
Brooke Raines is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer currently based in Southern California. Inspired by the natural world and the people she shares this planet with, Brooke uses storytelling to explore the relationship between the two.
Her experience ranges from documentary and branded storytelling to editorial, action sport, and lifestyle photography. Most recently, Brooke directed and filmed a docu-series exploring frontline communities and organizations working to mitigate the environmental degradation of the Tijuana Estuary and surrounding coastal communities. Brooke has previous experience managing non-profit communications and marketing.
Brooke continually seeks new experiences and projects that challenge her understanding of the world, push her creatively, and advocate for harmonious relationships between people and the planet.
Alejo Jergovic
Alejo is a Venezuelan born adventure cinematographer, creative director and content creator based out of Santa Barbara, California. His love for capturing powerful stories began in 2016 after hiking and filming his solo journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650 mile walk from Mexico to Canada that forever shaped his perspective and purpose as an artist. His intention ever since has been to work with sustainable brands, artists and projects that strive to create positive impact, expand self awareness and connect us back to Gaia.
In 2020 he shot and directed a short film “Reperio Made By” a story that focuses on finding solutions to empower women artisans in underdeveloped regions of Rajasthan, India, through the revival of handicrafts, natural dyes and block printing. In 2021 while stranded in Rishikesh, India during the nation wide lockdown, he helped start and film for “Feeding Rishikesh” an NGO that has fed thousands of migrant workers and families living in the slums of Rishikesh.
Some of his recent commercial work has been for the Argentinian sustainable home decor company Palermo House featured in Forbes and Architectural Digest. Other brands he has worked for include Pauji Outdoors, Smorgasburg, and the first ever automated green impact investment app, “FLIT Invest”.