BoatTEST Captain Scores 7th Place in the Rebelle Rally First Event
Man – or woman – can’t live by boat testing alone, so we thought it would be fun to let our members see what one of captains, Capt. Shelley Morton, does in her spare time. This October she has teamed up with fellow boat Captain, Lou Clark, to compete in the 9th annual Rebelle Rally.
The Rally – A Land-Based Navigation Contest
The 2024 Rebelle Rally is an annual all-women off-road navigation competition held from October 11 to October 19. This event spans approximately 2,500 kilometers (around 1,500 miles) across the deserts of Nevada and California. It is designed to challenge participants with navigation skills rather than speed, requiring competitors to rely solely on maps, compasses, and roadbooks—no GPS or cell phones are allowed.
The focus is on precise navigation through checkpoints, time management, and teamwork over the course of eight days of competition.
Capt. Shelley is the Navigator for the team.
About Capt. Shelley
Capt. Shelley Morton has been testing boats of all sizes for BoatTEST the last 3 years, holds a USCG 100-Ton License, and lived on and cruised on a 40' catamaran for three years, prior to joining boat test. In addition to being a USCG Licensed Captain, she holds a Florida Yacht Broker License.
About Capt. Lou
Lou Clark is a captain, and the captain of the team’s vehicle. She’s from Tropical North Queensland, got involved in the world of yachting as a professional crew member, taking on most roles, including cook, and ended up getting her captain’s license. She’s active in the Florida marine industry in sales and brand management.
The Rebelle Rally was first held in 2016, making the 2024 edition its 9th year of operation. It has grown steadily in popularity, becoming the longest competitive off-road rally in the U.S. specifically for women.
This year, the event begins at Mammoth Mountain, California, and concludes at a yet-to-be-determined location in the Imperial Dunes. The rally involves multiple base camps equipped with amenities like showers, dining facilities, and medical teams, but also includes self-camping marathon stages that foster a sense of camaraderie and adventure among participants.
Each team must prepare thoroughly, as they are responsible for bringing their own camping and navigation equipment, and vehicles must be outfitted for off-road conditions. The rally is open to adventurous women from around the world, and it is steadily becoming more popular, attracting about 70 teams in 2024.
Go Team! Remember, red, right returning!
