women-who-sail-australia

We Did Not Set Out to Restore a Sailboat

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:04:04 GMT

On improvements, unintended projects, and a boat that keeps evolving

By Fiona Bengtsson

Restoring Birdie was not the plan.

This is something I have to remind myself of occasionally, mostly while Captain Cavey is ordering another new part, working on a problem that didn’t exist last week, deck strewn with tools, or trying to avoid an issue next week.

A restoration would imply an end point. A version of the boat that is finished, or at least complete enough to stop thinking about, to relax with. Birdie has never suggested any such thing, and trust me, she does have the last word.

Instead, what we have is an endless sequence of improvements. Some planned, some reactive. Simple switchover of an LPG gas bottle from the empty to the full becomes nuts lost in the bilge becomes several lockers emptied becomes a bilge cleanout becomes new gas bottles becomes hose rerouted becomes a small reconsideration of how we can cook on a boat that was designed in a different decade, for a different set of expectations.

None of it dramatic enough to count as a “project” but together forming something that takes up most of the available time. Beware the ‘‘I’ll just do this one thing’’ idea. By the way, this scenario did lead to a project eventually but that’s another story.

It is easy, from a distance, to imagine a wooden boat as a solid object. Character-filled, yes, but essentially stable, inanimate. In practice, Birdie relishes change. She negotiates often, raising to-do points at the most inconvenient moments. We respond as best we can, sometimes well, occasionally not.

Some of this is maintenance. Some of it is improvement. Some of it is simply learning what we should have paid attention to earlier.

And then, in between, the three of us go sailing. Nothing glamorous, no bikini shots here.

It’s not always far, and not always gracefully, sometimes it’s even ugly if the weather turns sour. Yet Birdie always gives enough to remind us why any of this life together seemed like a good idea in the first place.

The plan, such as it is, was never to bring her back to some original state. It was to keep her going, make her a little more liveable, loveable, each time we tweak and, where possible, to understand her a bit better.

So far, that seems to be working. More or less.

You can follow Fiona's adventures with Birdie via her blog:

Birdie, More or Less

Revolutionising the Blue Economy: Explorer Lisa Blair OAM and ACM CRC Partners Launch Landmark Project to Advance Sustainable Marine Composites

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:22:58 GMT

In a unique joint research partnership, world record explorer Lisa Blair OAM, the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC), UNSW Sydney, and Steber International are announcing the launch of a solution-focused research project: Sustainable Composites for Next Gen Boat Hulls.

This two-year, $1.9 million research partnership aims to investigate the viability of Basalt Fibre (derived from volcanic rock) and current bio-resins as a scalable solution to outperform fibreglass and provide a circular solution to the growing industry problem.

Following the initial research, Lisa Blair will build her new expedition yacht from these sustainable materials before setting off for her next record.

Lisa is announcing her new world record attempt: ‘The Arctic Impact Project’. Lisa will be sailing in July 2027 to become the first person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the Arctic Circle in one season. The 8,000 nm journey will see Lisa tackle freezing conditions, dodge icebergs and spend an estimated 3 months solo at sea.

Cover photo: Research Kick Off Meeting. Left-Right Scientia Professor Gangadhara, Luke Preston, Lisa Blair OAM, Jessica Mevel Soenecs. Insert Photo Alan Steber MD Steber International who was unable to attend but is a valued partner.

Below: Lisa Blair OAM.

Revolutionising the Blue Economy: Explorer Lisa Blair OAM and ACM CRC Partners Launch Landmark Project to Advance Sustainable Marine Composites

The global marine industry is facing an unprecedented materials crisis. Right now, an estimated 35 to 40 million fibreglass boats worldwide are reaching their end of life 1 . With no scalable pathway for recycling, these vessels are becoming a significant environmental burden, dumped in mangroves, scuttled in deep water, or destined for landfills where they will persist for centuries.

A Collaborative Solution for Next-Gen Hulls

This two-year, $1.9 million research partnership aims to investigate the viability of Basalt Fibre (derived from volcanic rock) and current bio-resins as a scalable solution to outperform fibreglass and provide a circular solution to the growing industry problem.

“Composites are transforming mobility across aviation, marine, automotive and beyond – lighter, stronger, more efficient,” said Luke Preston, CEO, ACM CRC.

“But as we accelerate their adoption, we have a responsibility to ensure we are not trading one environmental problem for another. The ACM CRC and its partners are committed to ensuring that the composites revolution is built on a truly circular foundation.”

The Environmental Toll of Traditional Fibreglass

For 70 years, Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) has been the gold standard for boat building. However, recent research has revealed a dark side to this durability. A study by the University of Brighton found 7,000 shards of fibreglass in just 1kg of oyster flesh in the UK’s Chichester Harbour 2 .

To put the scale of the problem into perspective: Chichester Harbour is home to roughly 12,000 vessels 3 . By comparison, the 2023 Boat Registration and Ownership Statistics reported that Australia has over 925,000 registered boats, 33% of which are fibreglass, totalling over 300,000 fibreglass vessels in Australia 4 . If a small harbour in England is seeing the direct impacts of fibreglass on the oyster population, the implications for Australia’s vast coastline and seafood industry are immense.

“The reality is that high volume research into the long-term impacts of fibreglass just does not exist yet; we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg”, said Lisa Blair.

“But the lack of historical data does not change the fact that a solution needs to be found and ‘we’ as an industry need to transition towards a circular economy.”

Basalt Fibre and Bio Resins: A High-Performance, Circular Alternative

A primary solution lies in Basalt Fibre. Derived from natural volcanic rock, basalt is not just a “green” alternative; it is a performance upgrade. Basalt fibre is up to 10 times stronger than fibreglass, naturally fire resistant, and, most importantly, 100% recyclable.

When paired with modern Bio Resins, basalt fibre offers a viable pathway to a truly circular maritime economy. This research will evaluate this material combination, focusing on mechanical performance, scalability and circularity. As part of the practical validation, Steber International is constructing a dedicated test hull to investigate real-world scenarios and the repairability of these materials. This sits alongside focused materials research by UNSW, led by advanced materials expert Scientia Professor Gangadhara Prusty, and a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) conducted by circular economy specialists SOENECS.

“We are identifying the right bioresins and basalt fibres, available in sufficient quantities and with sufficient properties, to demonstrate a solution allowing the entire boat industry to offer more sustainable products,” according to Scientia Prof. Prusty.

“By coming up with an engineered solution, prototyping and testing it, and then having it

demonstrated in an incredibly challenging environment, we’ll be producing data to show boatbuilders that sustainable composite materials are a viable option. The team will open source this information so that the entire industry benefits.”

In addition to this, Lisa is also independently funding an Environmental Impact Study to be completed by SOENECS through her Arctic Impact Project.

“This project highlights a critical materials challenge, with millions of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) vessels reaching end of life without a viable circular pathway. The transition to alternatives such as Basalt Fibre and advanced bio-resins offers a credible route to redesign material flows in the marine sector”, Said Prof. David Greenfield, Founder of SOENECS.

“For SOENECS, it is both an honour and an exciting opportunity to deliver detailed Life Cycle Assessment and environmental impact modelling, and to work alongside Lisa Blair, a renowned sailor and environmental advocate. This ensures decisions are grounded in robust evidence.

“This work can define a scalable circular blueprint for marine composites, shifting the industry from linear dependency to regenerative design.”

The goal is to be able to share with the industry a verified and scalable solution so we can transition to a sustainable future together.

The Arctic Impact Project: New World Record Putting Innovation to the Test

Following the initial research, Lisa Blair will build her new expedition yacht from these sustainable materials before setting off for her next record. Lisa is one of Australia’s modern explorers and holds the record as the fastest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around Antarctica aboard her current yacht Climate Action Now, spending 92 days at sea and facing down waves the height of 5-storey buildings and cyclonic winds.

Building on this, Lisa is announcing her new world record attempt: ‘The Arctic Impact Project’.

Lisa will be sailing in July 2027 to become the first person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the Arctic Circle in one season. The 8,000 nm journey will see Lisa tackle freezing conditions, dodge icebergs and spend an estimated 3 months solo at sea.

Lisa said: “While climate change has opened the path for this record, my focus is on the solutions we can create together. This project is a multi-layered mission: driving innovation through our sustainable composite research, empowering communities via a global schools program and ‘Climate Action Now’ events, and advancing science by documenting the health of our remote oceans. By building my vessel from Basalt fibre, I’m showing that adventure can, and must, be a vehicle for change.”

Ensuring a Commercially Viable Transition

For industry leaders like Alan Steber, the focus is on a seamless transition. By finding a material that requires minimal changes to existing factory workflows, the partnership is ensuring that the next generation of Australian-built boats is as commercially viable as it is environmentally responsible. Steber International is already paving the way towards sustainability in the marine market with their ‘Re Use, Re New, Re Fit’ program, a sustainable approach to vessel refurbishment and repowering, and encourages developments such as electric hybrid power systems.

“Steber International is excited about being involved in the Advanced Sustainable Marine Composites project,” said Steber, MD at Steber International.

“My father, Bruce Steber, was involved with testing Resins and Gelcoats in 1958-1962. He applied experimental resins, gelcoats and other FRP products from Monsanto, Ferro corporation, and ANZOL paints into various moulds, producing small runabouts. Feedback was given to the supplier laboratories from real factory floor conditions. I am proud of our past input supporting the industry, especially where it has advanced to today.

“We are currently building Recreational, commercial, and Defence vessels and hopefully one day we will see a complete, sustainable, reliable, affordable, and safe composite material for all industries, hence I put my hand up to be part of the team".

This research partnership marks a new era for Australian sovereign capability, providing the Circular Blueprint that the global marine industry has been waiting for.

1 https://boatingindustry.com/top-stories/2017/01/12/aging-recycling-hulls-a-looming-crisis/

2 https://theconversation.com/abandoned-fibreglass-boats-are-releasing-toxins-and-microplastics-across-

the-world-143857

3 https://peninsulapartnership.org.uk/environment/chichester-harbour/

4 https://bia.org.au/news/2023-boating-data-report-card-released/

How I was slowly seduced

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:24:07 GMT

Home is changing

By Anne Barnes (from 'Changing Places: True stories from women on the water' by SisterShip Press 2020)

It happened so gradually I don’t really remember when ‘home’ became a boat, not a house. In the beginning the boat was ‘his’. I was happy that he was happy. I had my own interests and figured he would potter about with his ‘hobby’ while I got on with my terrestrial pursuits.

I did go along occasionally, just for a ride. I sat in the cockpit, looked for dolphins, and then returned ‘home’ at the end of the day considering my tour of duty complete. I took no interest in the maintenance or improvement projects that seemed to provide endless hours of either joy or frustration to my clearly besotted partner. A night aboard now and then was more than enough for me and I scuttled happily ‘home’ to my garden and cheery open fire. My happiness-scales were heavily skewed to land-based activities.

I was busy elsewhere, in the garden perhaps, the first time the boat was hauled out for a bottom scrub. The second time I went along but didn’t do much, I mean, who expects a woman to sand or paint a boat? A house, yes, but a boat? That’s a boy’s toy. By the third haul out I was actively helping, scraping stubborn little barnacles and dabbing antifoul paint here and there. I started to take a little more interest.

I’m not sure when or why I started tagging along more often on trips to the water. Weekends on the mooring or anchored in a quiet bay gradually became more frequent.

I was being ever so slyly seduced; not by my man, not by the water, nor the sky, and definitely not by the boat, but by a combination of them all.

The stillness at night, barely a ripple on the surface of the water. The moon, rising in all her voluptuous, silvery splendour above a silhouetted island, or hanging as a crescent on a black velvet blanket of stars. Dolphins, gliding effortlessly beneath the bowsprit or playing tantalisingly nearby but always just out of camera shot. The warmth of the sun on a winter’s morning, coffee in one hand and a book lying unopened while I sat, content to just ‘be’. The smile of my loved one, as we stood hand in hand on the foredeck, drinking in a sunset as the sky exploded with colour around us. All these elements combined to enchant me, casting a spell that became stronger with time.

Of course, boating is not all dolphins, moonbeams, and sunsets. Far from it.

There were nights when frayed nerves kept me awake as the wind howled through the rigging. Days when the chill of the wind cut through every layer and I struggled to breathe through the heavy woollen scarf I’d wound tightly around my face, only my eyes peeking between it and the thick fleece beanie pulled firmly over my ears. Times when tempers flared and sharp words exchanged as things went pear-shaped, as they do often when you combine human nature with mother nature… and add a boat.

These things only served to strengthen the thread that steadily pulled me seaward. Did the boat seem increasingly smug, bobbing innocently and occasionally tugging at her mooring while we rowed towards her each week? It certainly looked that way.

Weekends were suddenly dedicated to ‘boat time’ and dry bags sat packed and waiting in anticipation for Friday afternoon to roll around. The garden lay neglected. Land-based friends confused by my reluctance to commit to anything non-boat related. “Come to the races with us”, was met with “Sorry, can’t, got boat chores to do”. Sunday afternoons were filled with gloom and closing the washboards in the cockpit to return ‘home’ became harder. ‘Home’ was no longer ‘home’, but just a house. Somewhere to go in between the real life I had discovered. Somewhere to be endured.

One day in the not-too-distant future, I hope the transition will be complete and the ‘home’ I yearn for all week, will become a reality. In the meantime, I dream, and plan, and endure… and keep that dry bag waiting next to the ‘house’ door, ready to head ‘home’ at every opportunity I get.

'Changing Places: True stories from women on the water' is available as an eBook and paperback from Amazon and the WWSA webpage.

Find out more at www.sistershippress.com

Ten books by solo women sailors

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:11:28 GMT

WWSA's Shelley Wright shares ten of her favourite books by women solo sailors

I’m captivated by stories of women crossing oceans, especially those who undertook voyages decades before all the wonderful technology we have at our fingertips today. How many of us would head off without that technology I wonder? Even with all our modern gadgets, crossing an ocean solo is a daunting thought. The following are some of the books on my bookshelf, written by trail blazing, solo sailing women from the 1970s and onwards...

Nicolette Milnes-Walker (1973) When I Put Out To Sea

There are some treasured paperbacks in my collection, their pages yellowed by age, When I Put Out to Sea is one of them. Nicolette Milnes-Walker sailed non-stop single-handed across the Atlantic at the age of 28. She was the first woman to do so, setting sail on 12 June 1971 from the UK and arriving in Newport, USA, forty-five days later. Nicolette made her crossing in a 30-foot yacht Aziz , a ‘Pioneer’ designed by Van Der Stadt and constructed in Dorset in 1963.

Before deciding to embark on this journey, Nicolette had never sailed a yacht single-handed; her longest solo passage was eight miles in a dinghy! When I Put Out to Sea describes the journey from its inception at the International Boat Show in London 1971 (six months before her voyage), the preparations, inevitable foul weather and loneliness once under way, the sense of pride and achievement on arrival in the US, and her journey back in England by ship.

Claire Francis (1977) Come Hell or High Water

In June, 1976, Clare Francis set out from Plymouth in her 38-foot Ohlson Robertson’s Golly , in one of the most gruelling singlehanded boat races, the Observer Royal Western Transatlantic Race (OSTAR). Twenty-nine days later she reached Newport, Rhode Island, in 13th place overall, the first woman to finish the race, and beating the current women’s record by three days. Of 125 boats that started the race, only 73 officially finished.

Naomi James (1979) At One with the Sea

With only two years of sailing experience, New Zealander Naomi James left Dartmouth in September 1977 aboard the 53-foot yacht Express Crusader , alone except for a small kitten called Boris. After 30,000 miles and 272 days Naomi became the first woman to sail single-handed, non-stop, around the globe via Cape Horn. Naomi’s sequel At Sea on Land (1981) shares the shelf with At One with the Sea .

Ann Gash (1980) A Star to Steer Her By

This book is out of print, and I paid far more than I care to admit for my copy! I confess I didn’t know of Australian Ann Gash and her voyage until a few years ago when SisterShip Magazine founder and WWSA member Ruth Boydell mentioned having met her in a marina in South Africa in the 1970s. That then set me on a mission to find a copy of Ann’s book.

Ann took up sailing in her 40s after buying a little boat for her children to sail on Pittwater. She taught herself celestial navigation and took classes at night school on coastal navigation. Ann then set sail around the world in 1975 in a 26-foot wooden Folkboat called Ilimo , leaving without telling her children where she was going! Ann was not attempting to break any records; she simply went because she wanted to.

Kay Cottee (1989) First Lady

On 29 November 1987, Kay Cottee set off from Sydney Harbour aboard her Cavalier 37 Blackmore’s First Lady . 189 days later, in June 1988, she sailed back into Sydney, the first woman to have sailed solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world! Kay is of course a household name here in Australia (and hopefully around the world!) and I must admit experiencing a major 'fangirl' moment when I met her in person at the WWSA Gathering on the Bay in Port Stephens. Kay’s follow up story, All at Sea on Land (1998), sits alongside First Lady on my bookshelf.

Maureen Jenkins (2000) Lone Voyager

After reluctantly agreeing on a sailing lesson in a dinghy while on holiday in Cornwell in 1989, 44-year-old Maureen Jenkins was enthralled with sailing and determined to buy a small yacht of her own. The end of an unhappy marriage saw Maureen juggling divorce with the build of her dream boat, a replica of Joshua Slocum’s Spray. Maureen completed the build and sailed Lucia solo across the Atlantic, the only competitor in a rally to commemorate Joshua Slocum’s voyage in 1895 to compete the crossing.

Tania Aebi (1990) Maiden Voyage

Tania Aebi’s father issued her an ultimatum – go to college or sail around the world alone. In 1985, at the age of 18, she set sail from the docks of South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan aboard her Contessa 26, Varuna , with little knowledge and only a cat for company. Tania crossed the Caribbean, the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the North Atlantic. Her journey took her to 23 countries and covered 27,000 miles, during which time she faced loneliness, homesickness, foul weather, and a collision with a tanker. Tania returned to New York City in November 1987, aged 21.

Laura Dekker (2013) One Girl One Dream

With a foreword by Tania Aebi.

Sailing was in Laura Dekker’s DNA. Born to a sailing family who were in New Zealand at the time of her birth, later sailing back to the Netherlands, Laura remained with her father after her parents separated. Her first boat was optimist dinghy bought for her 6th birthday. When she was 13, Laura sailed a Hurley 700 single-handed to England.

At the age of 14 she was determined to sail around the globe. Laura Dekker’s plans were not without controversy, with numerous court cases and even the Dutch Prime Minister weighing in. At one stage she lied about her age and flew to the Caribbean to attempt to buy a boat suitable for a circumnavigation. Eventually, with financial help from family, she bought a cheap and neglected 33-year-old Jeanneau Gin Fizz she renamed Guppy , and together they made history. Laura did set out at the age of 14, completing her journey aged 16.

Jessica Watson (2010) True Spirit

From the age of 12 Jessica Watson was determined she wanted to sail around the world. Inspired after reading Jessie Martin’s book Lionheart , Jessica’s own voyage nearly didn’t happen as she collided with a bulk carrier on a test sail from Brisbane to Sydney prior to her circumnavigation. The incident sparked much debate over whether Jessica was too young and inexperienced to attempt such a journey. Her boat, a S&S 34 named Ella’s Pink Lady, was repaired and Jessica set off from Sydney Harbour on 18th October 2009 at the age of 16, completing her circumnavigation on 15th May 2010.

Lisa Blair (2020) Facing Fear

And of course, no bookshelf would be complete without Lisa Blair’s new book Facing Fear , the story of her first record breaking circumnavigation of Antarctica in 2017 and dismasting 900 nautical miles south of Cape Town. A remarkable story from a remarkable woman. With a second circumnavigation of Antarctica (having smashed the speed record by ten days!), circumnavigations of Australia and New Zealand, and a speed record from Sydney to Auckland, now under her belt, hopefully another book is in the pipeline!

Croc wise in Queensland

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:53:39 GMT

Cruising in croc country

After moving to the Central Queensland coast many decades ago, learning to sail seemed a good idea. My husband-to-be and I bought a small neglected Hartley TS16 (trailer sailer), patched up the large hole in its hull, and set about teaching ourselves to sail the hard way, dodging coal ships and running aground on nearly every sand bank in Gladstone Harbour.

Over a few drinks at the local sailing club one night, an old yachtie warned us to be careful sailing around the ‘Narrows’, the stretch of water surrounded by mangroves that runs between the mainland and Curtis Island. He told us there were crocs.

Fresh from the lush green hills of New Zealand, where the most terrifying creature is a wētā (a large cricket), we figured he was joking and took little notice.

However, it wasn’t long before the chilling sound of a throaty growl while we were out on our little boat near the mangroves, and the sight of mud slides at low tide, had us taking him seriously.

The estuarine crocodile

The estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ) is the largest of all living reptiles, with males growing to five metres or more. They are found from India to northern Australia, and across to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. An ambush predator, estuarine crocodiles usually spend the northern Australian wet season in rivers and swamps. Breeding and nesting occurs between October and April. In the dry season (May to October) they move downstream into estuaries and coastal areas.

The estuarine crocodile population in northern Australia was decimated by widespread, unregulated, hunting last century. By 1971, 95 per cent of the population had been killed. Since then, full legal protection across all Australian states has seen a rapid recovery of croc numbers with current populations estimated at 100,000 to 200,000 adults.

Yachties are reporting more sightings. This could be the result of increasing crocodile numbers, increasing cruising yacht numbers, the advent of social media or, more likely, a combination of all three. Habitat destruction is also resulting in more croc interaction with people.

Estuarine crocodiles generally hunt at night, their night vision is excellent. They are more active during the summer months and spend more time in the water at this time. Estuarine crocodiles are highly mobile and can swim up to 25-30 km per hour in short bursts. In a study of 20 satellite tagged crocodiles in northern Australia, eight were tracked into the open ocean, with one travelling 590 km in 25 days.

In Queensland, from 1985 to present, there have been approximately 36 attacks on humans by crocs in the wild. Of these, 11 were fatal. All were in the far north.

Staying safe in ‘croc country’

Many first-time cruisers heading north along the Queensland coast are unaware how far south estuarine crocodiles can occur. ‘Croc country’ is generally recognised as beginning at the Boyne River, near Gladstone, however, they may be present wherever there is suitable habitat and they have been sighted as far south as the Great Sandy Strait. Particular care should be exercised when travelling or anchored in close proximity of known croc habitat, for example large rivers or estuaries, and mangrove areas around islands and channels. Common sense should prevail when using these waters.

Crocodiles can, and do, make their way out to the clear water of reef islands. While Lizard Island, a mecca to cruising yachties heading up the Cape York coast and northern Great Barrier Reef, has always been considered relatively ‘croc-free’, crocs up to 2.5 m long are sighted periodically. In 2016, a snorkeller at Lizard was bitten by a 2 metre crocodile while swimming at night.

While many people cruise the Queensland coast for years without ever seeing a croc, in reality there is potential to encounter crocs anywhere within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or adjacent waterways. Estuarine crocodiles are potentially extremely dangerous, warning signs should not be ignored and the absence of a sign should not be taken as an absence of crocs.

Some tips for staying safe in croc country include:

Stay well back from croc slide marks (usually visible on mud banks) and away from the water’s edge near slides.
Never clean fish or discard scraps near boat ramps or beaches. Never feed crocs, it is illegal to do so.
Keep vehicles and boats at least ten metres away from a croc in the wild – it is illegal to approach any closer.
Keep arms and legs within your boat. If fishing from a beach, stand several metres back from the water’s edge.
Avoid being in or around the water at night.
Estuarine crocodiles notice routine. If you are anchored somewhere for more than a day vary your activities and the time you undertake them.

All estuarine crocodile sightings in Queensland (particularly in populated areas) should be reported to the CrocWatch hotline 1300 130372.

A summary of current sightings and ‘crocodiles of concern’ can be found on the CrocWatch website:

https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/crocodiles/sightings

New world record for Lisa Blair!

Thu, 23 May 2024 22:55:06 GMT

NEW SAILING RECORD COURSE SET IN NZ BY SAILOR LISA BLAIR

Australian solo sailing adventurer and environmental campaigner Lisa Blair has set a new

mono hull solo sailing course establishing the record for Auckland to Auckland around New

Zealand in 16 days and 23 hours in her yacht Climate Action Now .

She was greeted with a spectacular sunrise and glistening moon disappearing as she

crossed the start/finish line off Rangitoto Island by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

(RNZYS), who will help adjudicate her new record.

“I'm so incredibly proud to have become the first person to sail solo around NZ, I faced all

conditions and sailed through two storms on my journey before finishing at in Auckland

Harbour."

“I really worked hard the whole way around to set a time that I feel will be challenging to

break and now I have no doubt a Kiwi will have a go soon,” Lisa said.

Her voyage has encountered orcas and albatross along with monster waves and storms,

surfing a swell at a record 23 knots for the trip, through to virtual becalmed conditions as she

pushed hard to establish the new voyage time, a first for a solo mono hull record.

She also encountered floating plastics is pristine waters off the southern coast of New

Zealand, something she is campaigning to raise awareness about the destructive impact and

extent of plastic pollution in the far reaches of the ocean. Her solo Antarctic sailing record

surveyed microplastic pollution in every part of the Southern Ocean circumnavigation.

Lisa crossed the start line at 0757 (NZST) Tuesday 7th May and finished at 7.30am (NZST)

on Friday 24th of May, sailing over 2,672 nm.

“I didn’t sleep last night at all, and after micro 20 min sleeps the whole journey my focus is

now on a hot shower, a good meal and very big sleep,” she said.

The record, to be adjudicated by the RNZYS in collaboration (CYCA) and WSSRC, required

her course to enclose the whole of New Zealand including all rocks and islands lying within

8nm of the mainland.

Only last month she set a fastest time record for Sydney to Auckland as the first woman and

solo monohull record of 8 days, 3hrs and 19 minutes, taking over 4 days off the existing

record, to be ratified by World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC).

Lisa’s Climate Action Now campaign started in 2015 collecting environmental action post it

note messages from the public which adorn her yacht. Having sailed remote seas around

the globe where she witnesses plastic pollution, Lisa says her campaign is about spreading

a call to action.

“I'm sailing to save our oceans and to show people that as an individual we all have the

power to create change, it just starts with one action."

“I'm a firm believer that we can change and so undertake these records to show that

together we can create a better future. It just starts with one positive climate action.”

Lisa is the current world-record holder for sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around

Antarctica in 2022, breaking the record by 10 days to add to her 4 previous world records

and now 2 new pending Sydney to Auckland records.

Lisa has teamed up with film-makers Nathaniel C. T. Jackson and James Blannin-Ferguson

to make a feature-length documentary tracking her ambitious and treacherous solo voyage

around Antarctica. Screenings of the world premiere of Ice Maiden will be at the Doc Edge

Festival which plays in Christchurch (19-30 June), Auckland (3-14 July), Wellington (3-14

July) and then nationwide via the virtual cinema (15-31 July). Visit  docedge.nz and lisablairsailstheworld.com

Lisa Blair on home run for new sailing record

Mon, 20 May 2024 05:02:18 GMT

Orcas, giant swells, and stunning sunsets accompany Lisa Blair on the home run for new sailing record

Solo sailor Lisa Blair is on the home straight of her newest sailing record, briefly accompanied by orcas after she rounded the southern tip of New Zealand off Stewart Island, and is now crossing Cook Strait to the North Island, entering the potentially most treacherous leg of her Auckland to Auckland record attempt.

Lisa battled through sleep deprivation in 5 to 6 metre swells as she round South West Cape, with 35 to 45 knots of wind. She has dodged fishing vessels and huge waves shoving her vessel Climate Action Now around before relatively calmer conditions up the east coast of the South Island where the orcas joined her journey.

“The sleep deprivation has been tough and that gale off Stewart Island was a rocky and risky ride, not even the many fishing boats were out in that storm,” Lisa said.

As she crosses Cook Strait and enters day 13 of the non-stop solo and unassisted voyage aiming to set a new world record route, Lisa will forgo precious sleep periods due to the increased ocean traffic and need for visual outlook.

Lisa crossed the start line at 0757 (NZST) Tuesday 7th May to embark on an Auckland to Auckland, around New Zealand, sailing record over more than 2,200 nm on a rhumb line. The public can track her journey on her yacht tracker and she navigates the finale leg.

The record, to be adjudicated by the RNZYS in collaboration (CYCA) and WSSRC, requires her course to enclose the whole of New Zealand including all rocks and islands lying within 8nm of the mainland. Her predicted arrival back in Auckland is the end of this week.

Only last month she set a fastest time record for Sydney to Auckland as the first woman and solo monohull record of 8 days, 3hrs and 19 minutes, taking over 4 days off the existing record, to be ratified by World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC).

Lisa’s Climate Action Now campaign started in 2015, collecting environmental action post it note messages from the public which adorn her yacht. Having sailed remote seas around the globe where she witnesses plastic pollution, Lisa says her campaign is about spreading a call to action.

“I'm sailing to save our oceans and to show people that as an individual we all have the power to create change, it just starts with one action.

“We found microplastics in every sample I collected the whole way around Antarctica in some of the most remote regions on our planet. That's terrifying.

“While sailing down the west coast of NZ I saw a chunk of Styrofoam floating across the ocean. Seeing that in these pristine environments is heartbreaking. But I'm a firm believer that we can change and so undertake these records to show that together we can create a better future. It just starts with one positive climate action.”

Lisa is the current world-record holder for sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica in 2022, breaking the record by 10 days to add to her 4 previous world records and now 2 new pending Sydney to Auckland records.

Lisa has teamed up with film-makers Nathaniel C. T. Jackson and James Blannin-Ferguson to make a feature-length documentary tracking her ambitious and treacherous solo voyage around Antarctica. Screenings of the world premiere of Ice Maiden will be at the Doc Edge Festival which plays in Christchurch (19-30 June), Auckland (3-14 July), Wellington (3-14 July) and then nationwide via the virtual cinema (15-31 July). Visit  docedge.nz and lisablairsailstheworld.com

Acclaimed solo sailor Lisa Blair to set off on new World Record attempt tomorrow

Mon, 06 May 2024 06:14:01 GMT

Record-breaking solo sailor Lisa Blair will embark on a new World Record sailing

attempt tomorrow, April 7 th at 8am (NZST) to establish an Auckland to Auckland, New

Zealand, sailing record over more than 2,200 nm on a circumnavigation not yet recorded.

Only last month she set a fastest time record for Sydney to Auckland as the first woman and

solo monohull record of 8 days, 3hrs and 19 minutes, taking over 4 days off the existing

record, to be ratified by World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC).

Lisa will steer her yacht Climate Action Now from Westhaven Marina to a start off Rangitoto

Island, supported by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), then head north out

to Great Barrier Island beginning a journey rounding New Zealand’s northernmost point at

Cape Reinga where two oceans collide as she crosses from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman

Sea.

The public can view her live tracker on the website and social posts each day.

The anticipated 18-day voyage will take her down the west coast of New Zealand’s North

Island heading into a predicted storm force wind system around New Plymouth where the

imposing Mount Taranaki impacts the weather system before she crosses Cook Strait and

into headwinds all down the West Coast of the South Island.

As she reaches the south Fiordland region she will have no shelter from the Southern Ocean

storms and dangerous swells before pressing south to round Stewart Island and the

Southwest Cape where the sea depth dramatically reduces from 5km to 50 metres on the

shelf causing noted rogue waves.

Turning northwards past Dunedin headwinds are again predicted and major commercial

fishing grounds with long line nets will provide a hazard before heading into major

commercial and recreational boating regions all the way up the coast. This will test her

resilience with 20-minute micro sleeps the whole journey home to avoid dangerous traffic

and hazards.

The record, to be adjudicated RNZYS in collaboration (CYCA) and WSSRC, will require her

course to enclose the whole of New Zealand including all rocks and islands lying 8nm

offshore – a rhumb line distance of 2,200nm, although her journey will be much longer to

sail.

Lisa is an ardent promoter of climate action with her several world record journeys

involving the collection microplastic samples for scientific analysis and her awareness raising

of ocean pollution issues as well as advocacy for solutions and change for the health of the

ocean.

“I want to see a happy and healthy planet and people won’t protect what they can’t

understand so I try to share my love of the ocean and this planet with my records. I think

adventurers have a responsibility to become story tellers and communicators,” said Lisa,

who was named 2022 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

Lisa’s sustainability journey first started in 2012 while sailing around the world in the Clipper

Round the World Yacht Race.

“We were more than 20 days from land sailing across the Southern Ocean from South Africa

to New Zealand. I was at the helm looking out when we crested a wave and there, off our

bow was a Styrofoam box floating past. We were thousands of miles from land in the most

remote regions of the planet and I was seeing plastic. I couldn’t believe it.”

In 2015 Lisa launched her Climate Action Now message and began collecting post it note

messages from people in the public. Lisa’s yacht Climate Action Now is adorned with

thousands of messages of environmental actions from members of the community.

Lisa is the current world-record holder for sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around

Antarctica in 2022, breaking the record by 10 days to add to her 4 previous world records

and now 2 new pending Sydney to Auckland records.

In exciting news, Lisa has teamed up with film-makers Nathaniel C. T. Jackson and James

Blannin-Ferguson to make a feature-length documentary tracking her ambitious and

treacherous solo voyage around Antarctica. Screenings of the world premiere of Ice

Maiden will be at the Doc Edge Festival which plays in Christchurch (19-30 June), Auckland

(3-14 July), Wellington (3-14 July) and then nationwide via the virtual cinema (15-31 July).

For more information visit docedge.nz

Lisa's webpage is: www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

Lisa Blair set to smash World Sailing Speed Record!

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 23:30:44 GMT

Sydney to Auckland arrival due today!

The World Sailing Speed Record for Sydney to Auckland is set to be smashed by acclaimed Australian Solo Sailor Lisa Blair who is due to arrive across the finish line between North Head and Rangitoto Island between 3pm to 4pm NZST (1 – 2pm AEST) today, April 9, taking 4 days off the record.

She will claim the record for the fastest person and first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted from Sydney, Australia some 1200 nm to Auckland, New Zealand. Her arduous journey across the notorious Tasman Sea (The Ditch) has been marked by 30 knot squalls and fluky conditions including frustrating hours of virtual calm, a knock down mid Tasman and lightning storms but with little sleep over the 8-day journey she maintained a leading track over the previous record set in 2020 of 12 days and 14 hrs.

“On this trip the weather and seas threw every element at me and because it was a short window I have hardly slept and really pushed my settings the whole way. The boat has performed superbly but I am pretty exhausted and thrilled to be heading to this early finish and record and showcasing Climate Action now for a healthy ocean,” she said from onboard about 40 nm to the finish.

The record will be verified by The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) and has been adjudicated by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) CEO Justine Kirkjian, in conjunction with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) General Manager Sarah Wiblin.

The original record was set on the 22nd of January 2020, by retired Australian Veteran James Prascevic when he set the solo, monohull record with a time of 12d 14h 41m 15s, whilst promoting awareness of PTSD.

Lisa is the current world-record holder for sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica in 2022, breaking the record by 10 days to add to her 4 other world records.

Following this new record, Lisa will embark on another world-first sailing record, Auckland to Auckland around NZ, to become the first person to complete the trip, solo, non-stop and unassisted, a voyage she anticipates will take 15 to 18 days to complete.

See her website for details: lisablairsailstheworld.com

Island Cruising Acquires Down Under Rally

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 23:12:26 GMT

Island Cruising NZ is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Down Under Rally from its founder, John Hembrow.

This exciting development marks a significant expansion for Island Cruising and reinforces its commitment to providing exceptional yacht rallies in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The Down Under Rally was founded by John Hembrow in 2015. Since then, John Hembrow, with the assistance of his wife, Leanne, has run a variety of yacht rallies and events both within Australia and the South Pacific. During this time, the Down Under Rally has provided the owners of cruising yachts with the opportunity to experience the cruising grounds of this beautiful part of the world, connect with the people of these locations and experience their unique cultures all in the company of like-minded individuals.

As well as offering opportunities for Australian sailors to voyage to the South Pacific from Australia with the Go East Rally and NC2V Rally and, more recently, within Australia as part of the Beyond The Barrier Rally, the Down Under Rally's highly

acclaimed Go West Rally encourages international cruisers to sail to Australia from the South Pacific and spend cyclone season enjoying the Australian hospitality whilst cruising the East Coast of Australia. Most Go West Rally participants also take this opportunity to carry out maintenance to their vessels in readiness for their onward voyages into Asia and beyond.

With the acquisition of The Down Under Rally, Island Cruising is poised to further enhance the connection between Australian and New Zealand cruisers and to bring some fresh ideas and energy to the rallies that both companies offer. Viki Moore, the owner and visionary behind Island Cruising, has expressed her enthusiasm for this

strategic acquisition. She stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the Down Under Rally members and supporters into the Island Cruising community. John and Leanne have done an outstanding job of creating and growing the Down Under Rally, and we are committed to building on their legacy by continuing to offer sailors unforgettable experiences in the South Pacific.”

John and Leanne Hembrow would like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to all those who have supported the Down Under Rally since its inception by either becoming a partner business, participating in a yacht rally, or becoming a Down Under Rally Member. John had this to say when asked what the future holds in store:

“The future for me personally is uncertain at this time, but I can say with certainty that creating and running The Down Under Rally has been the most personally rewarding experience of my career. I am very proud of the achievements of the Down Under Rally over the past few years. The memories and the many friendships that I have made along the way are very precious to me. I am also confident that the combination of both Island Cruising & Down Under Rally will bring some great benefits to all our existing members and partner businesses. This is a positive step forward for both businesses, and I look forward to seeing the Down Under Rally flourish under Viki Moore’s leadership.”

Island Cruising has been running yacht rallies for over thirty years, and Moore is the fifth owner of the business. Island Cruising NZ is renowned for its passion for cruising and promoting yachting tourism in the South Pacific in a sustainable way. “We aim to foster ongoing relationships with the communities we visit, educating sailors on how to be culturally sensitive and being aware of and reducing the impact we have on the environment,” Moore says.

The company operates with a strong commitment to safety, camaraderie and sustainable practices in the Maritime Industry, and their efforts in this sphere have recently been officially recognised, with a Yachting New Zealand Excellence award as well as Best Yacht Rally 2023 in the Global Nautical Tourism Awards.

The acquisition of the Down Under Rally is the beginning of a new and exciting phase for both companies. Island Cruising is looking forward to the opportunity to build on the solid foundation that John and Leanne Hembrow have established over

the last eight years.

For more information:

Island Cruising: www.islandcruising.nz

Island Cruising Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islandcruising.nz

Down Under Rally www.downunderrally.com

Viki Moore: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/vikimoore/

Inspiring women to sail

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 01:03:14 GMT

Annette Hesselmans at the WWSA Gathering on the Bay 2023

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Instructor, Annette Hesselmans will be at the 2023 WWSA Gathering on the Bay in Port Stephens, giving three presentations and a sail training day aboard SV Fika , a Najad 490.

Annette has been on the water most of her life. Growing up in Melbourne she spent every weekend aboard her father’s 10-metre timber cruiser. This sparked her passion for sailing. Annette spent next few years sail training, racing aboard keel yachts, reading every sailing book known, and striving to sail the oceans. Annette says, “I will never forget my first ocean passage at age 17 – the beauty of the rolling ocean swell, the wildlife, the wild coast of Tasmania. I was hooked”.

In her 20s, Annette and her partner Gerry sailed the east coast of Australia and the Western Pacific aboard their 10-metre yacht. Annette says. “With a bag of lentils and tins of tomatoes, we learnt so much about life, trust, taking responsibility, shorthanded sailing, and developed a very healthy respect for the ocean.

"With small children, we sailed aboard our 13-metre yacht taking a year to explore the east coast of Australia and Tasmania. Our children are now adults. Sophie has inherited the wanderlust spirit and is living and cruising aboard her own yacht. Oliver has a love for the mountains and outdoors.

"In 2018, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and with my 12-metre yacht skippered the Melbourne to Osaka double handed, non-stop yacht race. This race and the return voyage redefined my future. The seed was sprouted for Paper Sailors Rock.

"I invite you aboard to share in my love of sailing and the sea.”

A day of sail training with Annette Hesselmans aboard Fika ( Thursday 30th March)

A day of sail training with Annette Hesselmans aboard Fika which would include:

· Knots and lassoing

· Lines/fender handling for entering/leaving a berth

· Raising/lowering sails and sail trim

· Reefing the main sail

· Try helming

· Anchoring

BYO lunch but tea/coffee and cake provided.

Cost $250 per person.

Total of 6 participants.

Time 0900-1700

There would be no RYA certificate but Annette can give a Paper Sailors Rock Certificate which may assist for anyone wishing to charter in the Whitsundays.

For information or to book email: annette@papersailorsrock.com.au

Presentations at Nelson Bay Bowling Club:

Inspiring Women to Sail: Reflections on a Sailing Life (Friday 31st March*)

From a lifetime of sailing including establishing a sailing business, I reflect on my experiences, anecdotes, and observations as a female sailor. With an optimistic spirit, I explore the opportunities to empower women to confidently set sail.

I hope that my story will sprinkle and plant a little seed, to inspire you to believe in yourself, have confidence and get out there, hold your head up high and have a go no matter what it is you are wishing to do with mucking about on boats.

Navigating the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Pathway (Sunday 2nd April*)

The RYA provides sailing courses from the novice sailor to enabling one to achieve a Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) recognised commercial qualification. RYA certificates are often required for bareboat charters overseas. However, it can sometimes be challenging working out how to navigate the course or qualification you are looking for.

This presentation will discuss the RYA pathways and courses available to develop cruising skills, knowledge and may lead you into a new career!

Sail Trim (Sunday 2nd April*)

This presentation is designed for the cruising sailor and will uncover the mysteries of trimming both the headsail and mainsail including the effects of car positions, sheeting, travellers, backstay tension, boom vangs, cunninghams, halyard tension, reading tell-tales and helming.

*Times within the program may be subject to change

The 2023 GOTB will be held in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, from March 31st to April 2nd. You don't have to be a member of WWSA to attend the Gathering on the Bay. If you are a woman and you are interested in boats - you are welcome!

The 2023 GOTB is proudly sponsored by Down Under Rally , Ahoy Sailing Magazine and Soldiers Point Marina , and

supported by Rocna Anchors Australia , Marine Medical Solutions , EziYacht , Paper Sailors Rock , Hawaiian Heart Massage Therapy , DeckHardware , Thwaites Marine , and Coral Sea Marina .

Tickets available: http://tix.yt/wwsa-gathering-on-the-bay-2023

Setting you and your boat up to win

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 05:21:13 GMT

Sonia Robinson and the WWSA Gathering on the Bay

Sonia Robinson has cruised and raced classic yachts in the Mediterranean, worked on luxury charter yachts in the Caribbean, sailed and instructed in Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and worked as a delivery skipper in Greece. She has clocked up more than 25,000nm crossing oceans. In 2017 she started selling mostly production yachts in Sydney Harbour, and subsequently started 'EziYacht' in 2019 to focus primarily where her passion lies; with cruising and bluewater cruising yacht sales and services.

A qualified RYA Offshore Yachtmaster and Australian Sailing Senior Keelboat Instructor, Sonia has devoted a large part of her career to the development of sailing education programs with Australian Sailing, the Royal Yachting Association, Yachting New Zealand, and Fiji Yachting Association. She has contributed to training frameworks for sailing and kiteboarding operations in Australia and the Pacific, gaining national and international program recognition.

As a female skipper, boat owner, and having worked in the yachting industry for some 30 years, Sonia Robinson aims to empower other women to feel confident at the helm of their own boat, and comfortable taking command if they so desire. Sonia will be speaking at the 2023 WWSA Gathering on the Bay on April 2.

Sonia says, “I have always believed that anyone can achieve what they set their mind to. It's not all about skill, a lot has to do with shifting your mindset from 'I'm afraid I will fail' to 'I will succeed'.

Through my profession (both as a trainer and as a boat broker) I frequently encounter partnerships where the woman (in most cases) is comfortable being told what to do, and as a result, generally doesn’t get too involved with the technicalities of sailing the boat. Let’s call her Type A.

Type B, on the other hand, is the boss for the most part but happy to handover the wheel when approaching the dock or when the s**t hits the fan.

I like to consider myself as Type C – the all-rounder – able to take orders while also capable of taking command. Often, women have commented on my ability or wished they could be more Type C, to which I always reply “There's absolutely no reason why you can't ..you just have to try”.

I’m not afraid to give things a try – I know that if I fail, I will try again, learn from my mistakes, and eventually I will succeed. I would really love to see more women willing to take this approach to learning and to step up to the challenge.

Let’s look at this from a 'role sharing' perspective – which I believe is fundamental in a great boating partnership. My husband started out sailing with me, first as an ‘incompetent crew’! He quickly advanced to 'competent' and now, after some years and training, he is 'co-captain' when we are sailing on longer/overnight passages. He even took things one step further to gain commercial qualifications – but that may not be the road for everyone.

What is essential however, is to ENJOY sailing in all its forms, and for that to happen one needs to understand their boat, to plan and communicate well, and when passage making, to know when it’s time to rest by sharing responsibilities. Beyond these basic criteria, one should be able to take over at any stage if the other person is incapacitated.

Wouldn't you feel more confident knowing that you have full control over your boat?

At the Gathering on the Bay, we have a unique opportunity to build new friendships in a learning and supportive environment. We may possibly also set goals to challenge ourselves with new boating practices. This may be learning a new knot, interpreting the weather or a new navigational challenge, trouble shooting a mechanical problem, or simply understanding more about your own boat and setting it up to suit your needs.

I would like to draw from my own experience (as a boat owner and skipper) in supporting those of you who would like to take the next step, whatever that step may be, from being relatively clueless to possibly picking up a mooring, to simply taking the helm, or docking your boat. In this interactive session I will provide advice and talk through some scenarios on how to set your boat up to suit your sailing needs, to make it easier for short-handed sailing, and equip you with the confidence to step out of your comfort zone."

The 2023 GOTB is proudly sponsored by Down Under Rally , Ahoy Sailing Magazine and Soldiers Point Marina , and

supported by Rocna Anchors Australia , Marine Medical Solutions , EziYacht , Paper Sailors Rock , Hawaiian Heart Massage Therapy , DeckHardware , Thwaites Marine , and Coral Sea Marina .

Tickets available: http://tix.yt/wwsa-gathering-on-the-bay-2023

WWSA Gathering on the Bay 2023

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:06:59 GMT

What is the Gathering on the Bay?

WWSA Gathering on the Bay 2023

Nelson Bay Bowling and Recreation Club, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens

March 31 to April 2

First held in Nelson Bay in 2016, the annual Women Who Sail Australia (WWSA) Gathering on the Bay is a conference and get-together for women interested in boats. Up to 100 women from around Australia (and even NZ and the US) converge on Port Stephens for three days of presentations and social events, which this year will include diesel engine maintenance, sail trim, ropes and deck hardware, and much more. The Gathering on the Bay promotes friendship, fun, and knowledge shared in a supportive women-only forum.

Key speakers for 2023 will include record breaking solo sailor Lisa Blair who has circumnavigated Antarctica (twice!) and Australia non-stop and unassisted. The first all-women crew in the two-handed division of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham, and sailing instructor Annette Hesselmans, who skippered her yacht Fika in the 2022 Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’ race, will also be speaking at the event. A panel will share personal experiences of rescues at sea and how best to prepare for this. Each day begins with an early morning ‘yoga4yachties’ session.

While the presentations and workshops are for women only, many male partners tag along and enjoy meeting with other sailors. Men are also welcome at the social events.

The official Gathering dinner will be held at the Nelson Bay Bowling and Recreation Club on Saturday 1 ^st April. Optional events before the Gathering include a day of sail training on board Fika with Annette Hesselmans and a pre-event dinner on Thursday 30 ^th .

Women Who Sail Australia is a network of more than 5700 women who are involved with boating (or wish to be). You don’t need to be a member of Women Who Sail Australia to attend, all women are welcome.

For more information about the 2023 WWSA Gathering on the Bay go to the Women Who Sail Australia Facebook page or email admin@womenwhosailaustralia.com

Web: www.womenwhosailaustralia.com

Tickets available: http://tix.yt/wwsa-gathering-on-the-bay-2023

WWSA turns nine!

orac82@gmail.com (Shelley Wright) — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:38:44 GMT

It's our birthday!

Nine years ago, on the 14 ^th of January, Women Who Sail Australia was formed.

What began as an online group for ten sailing friends to keep in touch has grown to more than 5600 women in January 2023. Our ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences are as varied as the vessels we helm (or aspire to helm) but the one thing we have in common is just that – boats.

Over the last nine years, lifelong friendships have been forged. Emotional and physical support extended to women who have perhaps never met in person. No matter what time of the day or night, or wherever you are around the world, a member is bound to be online, ready to offer advice or just a kindly ear.

We have our own burgee and shirts, a webpage and magazine, and of course our annual Gathering on the Bay in Port Stephens (March 31 ^st – April 2 ^nd , 2023). This year we are also at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Tasmania!

WWSA is an extraordinary network of caring, inspirational, knowledgeable, supportive women. More a family than a social media group.

If you are part of our group – thanks for coming along for the ride! If you are a woman who loves boats, and not yet a member, come join us!

Happy Birthday to us!

www.womenwhosailaustralia.com

Instagram: @womenwhosailaustralia

Facebook: Women Who Sail Australia

Photo credit: Justine Porter

WWSA at the AWBF!

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 05:45:42 GMT

WWSA in Tassie!

We are excited to announce that Women Who Sail Australia will be at the 2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Tasmania!

When: Saturday 11 Feb 2023.

Cost: Free

Time: 1 hour session 10am - 11 am

Where: Founders Room. Salamanca (access through Woobys Lane Salamanca)

Join women sailors from WWSA for a fun and informative hour sharing practical knowledge, stories, and friendship. If you’re already a member of WWSA you will know how inclusive and supportive this group is ... if you’re not a member yet come along to learn about us.

WWSA is a mix of skippers, cruisers, racers, and women just starting out. We enjoy wooden boats as well as modern production boats. Accomplished Tasmanian skippers will share some of their tips and experiences on the day. They will also share some of the special places here in Tasmania to take your boat, accompanied by lots of great photos. In addition, there will be hands on advice and demonstrations of rope handling and shorthanded berthing.

WWSA presentations

Intro and history of Women Who Sail Australia presented by WWSA admin representative Gail Grant
Sailing on a wooden boat solo presented by Jane Wilson
Lasso berthing guide and demo presented by Linda MacKenzie
Sailing to beautiful Tasmanian destinations presented by Sheenagh Neill
A practical smorgasbord of knot tying. A hands on exercise presented by Julie Porter

Gail Grant

Gail is from Sydney. Gail and her husband sail a Bluewater 420 monohull yacht named Southern Belle which was launched in July 2011. They have sailed the Queensland coast multiple times and as far north as the Louisiades Archipelago in Papua New Guinea. This is their third time sailing Tasmania.

Gail has been a member of WWSA since 2014 as one of the original members

Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson, lives mostly on Bruny island and the rest of the time on her Atkins 32 Erik (a sister ship to Suhali ). A career involving veterinary, winemaking, truck driving and now organic auditing has fully equipped Jane for the frustrations and delights of wooden boat sailing and ownership.

Equipped with the sage advice of ‘stay away from the hard and dry bits’ Jane has dragged herself towards a degree of skill making lots of mistakes as she went.

Constant helpful advice from the wooden boat owners, and importantly from Women who Sail Australia, has kept Jane going. That and the love of landscape and the privilege of being able to sail in Southern Tasmania in her stout little ship. Jane has been a member of WWSA since 2017.

Linda Mackenzie

Linda Mackenzie is a catamaran owner of 10 years. She has been sailing the East Coast of Australia for 6 months on, 6 months off.

As a late comer to sailing Linda cites WWSA talks or demonstrations as both helpful and at times lifesaving. Linda is a shorthanded berthing expert in WWSA. Linda has been a member of WWSA since its inception and find the knowledge of such a group to be encouraging and inspiring. She also attended the WBF for the last three events.

Sheenagh Neill

Sheenagh has been sailing on and off since her youth. Her love grew from her childhood trip sailing to Australia. In 2015, she moved from racing/delivering on yachts to serious cruising on her own yacht.

Since then she has sailed up and down the east coast of Australia both in her own yacht and as crew. She has sailed as far away as Vanuatu. In recent years she has led cruises for several Hobart yacht clubs to remote places in Tasmania.

She is passionate about promoting women sailors. Sheenagh is the Tasmania administrator for Women Who Sail Australia and loves being part of such a wonderful supportive sailing group. Sheenagh has been a member of WWSA since 2016.

Julie Porter

Originally from New Zealand, a registered nurse, Julie now lives in Tasmania overlooking the Channel and Bruny Island. Julie is a self-confessed tall ship and classic boat enthusiast with a passion for sharing traditional sailing skills and ensuring the art lives on to the future. She owns tall ship Rhona H (operated by Not for Profit Heritage Sailing Tasmania) with her partner Charles, as well as a Lyle Hess 24’ pilot cutter Heather-Belle . Julie is proud to be supporting Women Who Sail Australia and has been a member since 2018.

Numbers limited so book early via: Women Who Sail Australia: Practical tips & sailing stories Tickets, Founders Room, Hobart | TryBooking Australia

Thank you from Lisa Blair!

Fri, 20 May 2022 03:18:07 GMT

Thank you WWSA!

"The collective support that I have received from the Women Who Sail Australia group has been remarkable, and I am so very thankful. I have been a member of the WWSA for several years and for each project the level of support I receive always amazes me.

For this project sailing solo around Antarctica, not only did many women donate to collectively sponsor three degrees of longitude of my record but you all also shared it across many outlets and messaged me privately to let me know you had shared it with your boss and so on. That level of support and dedication is incredible.

Then I was lucky enough to have WWSA member Justine Porter drive over five hours to Brisbane to help for several days aboard Climate Action Now while I was in the refit part of the project, and now I have so many members like Shelley Wright, Caitlin Harris, Jo Hansen, Karyn Gojnich, and Jenny Rickerby who are currently helping to run the social media and support this project with their skills on land so that I can focus on the sailing.

Everyone else in the group has shared, commented and in one way or another made me feel like a part of the family, so thank you to all the WWSA women out there for your ongoing incredible support.”

You can read more about Lisa's voyage and ways to contribute at www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

Photo credit: Corrina Ridgway

Over the start line...

orac82@gmail.com (Shelley Wright) — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 03:20:21 GMT

Over the start line and away to the Southern Ocean

"I'm pretty excited about the whole thing!"

A balmy, northwest breeze filled the sails as we ghosted gently across Port Stephens on Monday. A perfect morning to introduce two teenage girls from the Australian outback to sailing. It’s days like this I find it hard to believe I’m paid to be on the water.

On the other side of the continent, nearly 4,000 kilometres away, fellow WWSA member Lisa Blair was undertaking last minute preparations for a very different type of sailing – heading deep into the Southern Ocean to complete a second solo circumnavigation of Antarctica.

As the girls on board our morning harbour sail each took the helm, I told them about Lisa.

Completing a solo circumnavigation of Antarctica in 2017 (with one stop after being dismasted 900 nm south of Cape Town) and being the first woman to do so, is an impressive record. However, Lisa Blair has unfinished business. The elusive ‘non-stop’ record for a solo woman circumnavigating Antarctica is still calling, but Lisa also has her eye on Russian Fedor Konyukhov’s record of 102 days to become the fastest person to sail solo around Antarctica, below 45 degrees south.

It's not just about records though. With a strong environmental ethic, Lisa plans to utilise this opportunity to raise awareness of her Climate Action Now campaign and to complete citizen science while sailing between the latitudes of 45 south and 60 south (the official ‘race’ track for the Antarctic record). Given the remoteness and lack of shipping in the Southern Ocean, there is very little scientific data from this far south. Vessels transiting these waters are rare, so partnering with the Clean Ocean Foundation and scientific agencies and organisations, Lisa will undertake as much research as she can while circumnavigating.

Back to our balmy Monday morning on the NSW coast. With the boat safely docked, and passengers farewelled, I kept one eye on the clock as I tidied the cockpit and galley. Lisa’s departure time was looming, and I was keen to watch her live feed on Facebook.

I was surprised to see Lisa’s name flash up on my phone close to her departure time.

“Why aren’t you on your boat?” I said in reply to Lisa’s cheery, “Hello!”.

Sounding exceptionally relaxed for someone about to embark on such an arduous voyage, Lisa had a few last-minute instructions for the team of WWSA members who are part of her shore support crew but assured me she was about to board Climate Action Now and drop those dock lines. We’ll be speaking regularly throughout her journey, so our farewell wasn’t really all that final. I must admit though that it felt a bit surreal all the same.

As Climate Action Now’s colourful bow punched into a steep chop and 25 knot headwinds heading towards the invisible start line off Breaksea Island, it was evident to anyone watching the live feed that Lisa was completely in her element.

“I’m pretty excited about the whole thing!” Lisa announced with a wide grin into her camera.

You can read more about Lisa and her vessel, follow her via a tracker, and support her campaign on her webpage www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

Supporting our Lisa!

orac82@gmail.com (Shelley Wright) — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 02:01:43 GMT

WWSA's three degrees of longitude

Lisa Blair, aboard her yacht Climate Action Now, is setting off in February 2022 chasing her fourth world record as the fastest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around Antarctica below 45 degrees. This has presented an opportunity to collect scientific data on ocean health, deploy weather drifter buoys, and collect microplastic samples in the most remote oceans of Antarctica. Few ships travel these areas and minimal data currently exists.

Lisa has been a key member of Women Who Sail Australia since the inaugural WWSA Gathering on the Bay (GOTB) in 2016. Lisa amazed us with her plans to sail solo around Antarctica the following year, the audience enthralled by her enthusiasm and energy.

By the time the 2017 GOTB rolled around, Lisa was deep in the Southern Ocean and most of us were glued to our computer screens awaiting daily updates on her progress. Lisa spoke to the 2017 Gathering attendees via Satellite phone – broadcast via microphone to the room. There was barely a dry eye as she chatted cheerily from those remote and frigid waters to us in balmy Port Stephens. Two days later we awoke to a phone call relaying the devastating news of her dismasting.

Those who know Lisa were not at all surprised that she managed to jury rig Climate Action Now and get herself and her boat safely to Cape Town, South Africa, for repairs before completing her solo record-breaking circumnavigation.

The enormity of what Lisa experienced and accomplished during this time was evident when she showed us her video footage once back home. To many of us, Lisa’s dismasting and consequent handling of that situation cemented her reputation as one of the most capable sailors on the globe. All the more remarkable considering she is from a non-sailing background, grew up inland, and was once turned down for a deckhand position on a charter yacht in the Whitsundays!

Safely back in Australia, Lisa’s feet barely touched the dock before she embarked on an east coast speaking tour, prepared an all-women team to compete aboard Climate Action Now in the 2017 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, skippered the all-women team aboard Dove-Defi des filles in the exhausting six-day PONANT Groupama yacht race in New Caledonia, and set off on another record-breaking solo circumnavigation – this time nonstop around Australia.

Amongst all this, Lisa somehow found the time to write about her Southern Ocean experiences in her debut book ‘Facing Fear’. She also found time to attend the 2018 and 2019 GOTB events at Port Stephens (and was on track for 2020/21 but of course the pandemic had other plans for us all).

Having heard Lisa speak on numerous occasions I know her story well, she is a remarkable woman, and it came as no surprise when she told me she was planning a second circumnavigation of Antarctica, determined to complete the journey non-stop and to break the speed record (which she was ahead of at the time of her dismasting in 2017) set in 2008 by Russian Fedor Konyukhov.

Always thinking outside the box, Lisa came up with a novel way to raise funds for the upcoming circumnavigation. Sponsors could ‘purchase’ a degree of longitude.

WWSA members are always keen to support Lisa in any way we can, so we combined our pennies and bought three degrees of longitude: 123 degrees west, 23 degrees east, and 90 degrees east.

As Lisa reaches our ‘degrees’ on her circumnavigation there will be much celebration!

If you’d like to read more about Lisa’s upcoming voyage and perhaps purchase a degree yourself (or encourage your local club to do so) go to Lisa’s webpage ‘Lisa Blair Sails the World’.

And be sure to snaffle a copy of her new book ‘Facing Fear’, available at good bookstores or from www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

How do you buy a degree?

orac82@gmail.com (Shelley Wright) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 23:50:43 GMT

Women Who Sail Australia has two degrees! And a third on the way!

What? I hear you ask. WWSA has been to uni?

No, not that type of degree. The navigational kind.

We know we have "l"attitude, well now we have longitude too!

But how does one obtain a degree of longitude?

Lisa Blair has been a key member of WWSA since the inaugural Women Who Sail Australia Gathering on the Bay (GOTB) in 2016. Lisa amazed us with her plans to sail solo around Antarctica the following year, the audience enthralled by her enthusiasm and energy.

Those who know Lisa were not at all surprised that she managed to jury rig Climate Action Now and get herself and her boat safely to Cape Town, South Africa, for repairs before completing her solo record-breaking circumnavigation.

Safely back in Australia, Lisa’s feet barely touched the dock before she embarked on an east coast speaking tour, prepared an all-women team to compete aboard Climate Change Now in the 2017 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, skippered the all-women team aboard Dove-Defi des filles in the exhausting six-day PONANT Groupama yacht race in New Caledonia, and set off on another record-breaking solo circumnavigation – this time nonstop around Australia.

Amongst all this, Lisa somehow found the time to write about her Southern Ocean experiences in her debut book Facing Fear .

She also found time to attend the 2018 and 2019 GOTB events at Port Stephens (and was on track for 2020/21 but of course the pandemic had other plans for us all).

So where does a degree of longitude fit into this story?

Always thinking outside the box, Lisa came up with a novel way to raise funds for the upcoming circumnavigation. Sponsors can ‘purchase’ a degree of longitude!

WWSA members are always keen to support Lisa in any way we can, so we combined our pennies and bought a couple of degrees of longitude. As Lisa reaches our ‘degrees’ on her circumnavigation there will be much celebration!

If you’d like to read more about Lisa’s upcoming voyage and perhaps purchase a degree yourself (or encourage your local club to do so) go to Lisa’s webpage ‘Lisa Blair Sails the World’.

And be sure to snaffle a copy of her new book Facing Fear , available at good bookstores or from www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

PHOTO: Women Who Sail Australia 4th annual Gathering on the Bay (GOTB) at Port Stephens 2019. Lisa Blair front row.

Women Making Waves

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:20:50 GMT

Women Making Waves event at the Coral Sea Academy, Whitsundays

“It’s a man’s world” no longer and out on the water more and more women are taking the helm and enjoying all the freedom and empowerment that boating has to offer.

In the last eighteen months leisure boat sales have skyrocketed with so many people looking to our beautiful backyard for holidays, adventure, and the chance to reconnect with family, friends and nature.

Coral Sea Marina is proud to welcome a diverse group of women to our docks: whether you’ve been boating for years or you’re a brand-new boat owner, whether you live on your boat or just enjoy weekend getaways, whether you love twilight racing or twilight cruising, Coral Sea Marina Resort is excited to support women in boating.

As part of the Coral Sea Academy, a series of innovative events designed to engage people with the marine environment and encourage better boating practices, Coral Sea Marina will be hosting a “Women in Boating” networking event, at The Lookout Lounge on Saturday 25th September, from 3pm – 5.30pm.

All women are welcome to this free event, whether a boat owner or not, and can expect an afternoon of relaxation with some light nibbles and welcome beverages, being inspired by the stories of women in the boating industry and enjoying informal networking with other like-minded women.

The afternoon event will provide women with a chance to learn of opportunities for support, friendship and advice through groups such as Women Who Sail Australia, be encouraged to join the boating community through podcaster Nicky Voux, the Boat Princess, and be inspired by the incredible sailing stories of Wendy Tuck, the first female skipper to win a round-the-world yacht race boasting over 170,000 nautical miles in her log-book:

“I am really looking forward to meeting everyone at the “Women in Boating” event”, says Wendy. “I hope I can offer some insights and any advice to all those new to boating or looking to further their careers.”

In addition, we are excited to welcome the region’s very own Whitsunday Sailing Club Commodore, Heather Sutton, who will be explaining how the world of sailing has shaped her life and posing the question, “Where in the world would I be without sailing?”

Coral Sea Marina’s CEO, Kate Purdie says, “When I was first appointed to my role at Coral Sea Marina several people expressed surprise – not because I come from a different country and a different industry, but because I am a woman. While boating has traditionally been a male dominated activity, I am pleased to say I have seen that changing even in my short time in the industry, with capable women working as dockhands right through to owning superyachts.

Here at Coral Sea Marina, we believe everyone with a passion for boating should have the opportunity to become capable and confident on the water, and through the Coral Sea Academy we hope to play a role in inspiring women of all ages to do just that. We are grateful to these leading women in boating for dedicating their time to support our efforts.”

Uniting women in their love of the ocean, the Coral Sea Academy looks forward to welcoming guests, locals and visitors to the region to this upcoming free event, connecting women on the water.

To register for this event, please email marketing@csmr.com.au or https://whitsundaytickets.com.au/event/coral-sea-academy-women-in-boating-13418

For more Coral Sea Academy events and updates: https://www.coralseamarina.com/coral-sea-academy-2/

What did we do?

orac82@gmail.com (Shelley Wright) — Thu, 13 May 2021 06:37:03 GMT

What did we do?

It was with a sense of disbelief that I learned our beloved Women Who Sail Australia FB group had vanished this week. Gone. With no warning.

Apparently, FB disabled us.

As the implication sunk in, the tears rolled. Seven years of hard work and love from our WWSA members erased.

Some might wonder, why so emotional over a FB group? Perhaps because WWSA is no ordinary FB group. Rather, it is an extraordinary network of caring, inspirational, knowledgeable, supportive women. More a family than a social media group.

Over the last seven years, lifelong friendships have been forged. Emotional and physical support extended to women perhaps never met in person before. No matter what time of the day or night, or where you are around the world, a member is bound to be online, ready to offer advice or just a kindly ear.

What started out as ten sailing friends keeping in touch has grown to almost 5000 women. Our ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences are as varied as the vessels we helm (or aspire to helm) but the one thing we have in common is just that – boats.

We developed our own burgee, have a magazine, and of course our annual Gathering on the Bay.

As word of the disappearance of our group spread, messages of shock, concern, and support from members flooded in, including a surprising number from the male partners of our members, all expressing feelings from despair to outrage that such a valuable resource had been lost. Behind the scenes the admin team worked hard to resolve the situation and to find other avenues to stay in contact with our members.

The Women Who Sail Open Page kept members updated, as did the various WWSA regional and special interest subgroups.

In the early hours of this morning our precious network was restored. We may never know what triggered our temporary banishment but we are back!

As one member commented "The short absence of WWSA showed how many of us on the water rely on the advice, support and connections provided through this community".

Women Who Sail Australia sails on!

*Group photos above from previous WWSA Gatherings on the Bay.

A first for a new sailor by Christine Hunter

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 03:30:47 GMT

2020 Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race: a first for a new sailor

Rum was the drink of choice for me and my new friends as we crossed the finish line of the 2020 Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race. It was 6.15 am, sunrise, Sunday the 2nd of August and I didn’t drink rum – until then!

I was toasting the completion of my first ocean yacht race with the crew of Fruit Salid 3 , the beautiful Beneteau First 40. My exhaustion-infused elation had me celebrating and reliving many ‘firsts’ with these five men, all unknown to me just 48 hours prior. The skipper and his crew were celebrating many firsts too, all of which would make great stories of salty tales as is expected after such an exhilarating challenge.

New to sailing at the age of 50, an ocean yacht race was a dream for me, which then became a goal. I was in a hurry to participate in such events and gain experience to learn and contribute productively to the next event, and the next! I was thrilled to be a part of this team, congratulating, exaggerating, laughing, and learning after our two days and two nights at sea together. But even more impressive were the skipper and his crew who welcomed me on board just 16 hours before the race began. The only female, the oldest crew member, and no ocean racing experience.

How did this eventuate?

I had lost my job, and recently completed my last treatment for breast cancer, so I had a bit of spare time up my sleeve. Advised of the side effects of radiotherapy, I had put the weekend aside to spend on the couch recuperating. My friends all advised me that I should indulge myself and do whatever makes me happy: reading, knitting, eating, Netflix. All good ideas. All things I love. But I happened to love sailing more!

The seed was planted at a routine Wednesday afternoon sailing, (WAGS) just two days before the event. My skipper from the magnificent Archambault 40, Broadsword , mentioned to me that a yacht needed a last-minute crew member for the Brisbane to Keppel Race on Friday. He knew of my goal to sail in an ocean yacht race and thought I might be interested.

Hesitating, I simply asked, ‘Would you take me if you were going?’ ‘Yes’ was his answer.

Buoyed by his confidence in me I considered it. I was willing. I wanted it, but maturity and common sense filled me with questions. So, I slept on it.

My adventurous spirit prevailed and on the Thursday morning I decided I’d rather be sailing than lying on a couch. I asked myself, ‘surely I won’t notice the side effects and symptoms if I’m at sea, sailing, doing what I love?’ I tracked down the yacht that needed crew – too late, position filled. I’d made up my mind and my determined plan was to sail tomorrow in my first ocean yacht race. The planets were aligned!

I sent a message to RQYS (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) with my inquiry; ‘I’d like to sail in the B2K, tomorrow, does anyone need crew?’ The race organiser understood and asked for my dossier, my resume. I didn’t have much to offer except something like; ‘I’ve been sailing for three years, crewing for two years, participated in the ‘SheSails’ regattas in Mooloolaba and Newcastle (I did not mention my placings!), I’m fit(ish), don’t get seasick, can pack a spinnaker in a hurry, and I am a registered nurse with medical skills.’ Not quite enough for an ocean race, so I also mentioned that I had trekked in remote places including The Kokoda Track and Everest Base Camp, that I am resourceful, stoic, capable and most importantly, positive. Fingers crossed!

This message went out to all the skippers participating. By 3 pm that same afternoon, Fruit Salid 3’s owner and skipper, Mark Drobitko contacted me and said he could do with one more crew member (after all they would like longer sleep breaks!). We met briefly. Mark decided he liked my ‘can do attitude’ and said that I needed to be on board tomorrow morning at 7.15 am.

It was happening and I needed to get equipped. I borrowed wet weather gear and thermals, bought a Personal Locator Beacon, chocolate coated coffee beans, and new deck shoes (a slippery mistake!). Oh, and I told my adult sons that I would be incommunicado for several days at sea, then packed my bag.

I arrived at 7 am, met the crew and familiarised myself with Fruit Salid 3 . The conditions gave us an invigorating first day. 25-30 knot south easterly winds had us surfing down welcome, silky waves, accompanied by dolphins and whales close enough to touch. Our spirits were high. The atmosphere was filled with our confidence, enthusiasm, and excitement. I was incredibly happy indeed to be in this surreal environment.

We blew the first kite at sunset and I learnt that it is exceedingly difficult to get a kite down the forward hatch and companionway simultaneously, with six people enthusiastically participating in this emergency. This may explain the extent of the damage to those of you who have experienced this!

My shift comes around quickly that first night. At 2 am I am hunched down in the cockpit, shivering, teeth chattering in the cold drizzling rain and I ask myself ‘why?’ as I had momentary thoughts of a hot bath, a soft bed, and a stable toilet. I remember that I am ‘stoic’ and must shift these distracting thoughts to keep my enthusiasm alive (I know I cannot disappoint them).

Then as if on cue, the stunning silhouette of a dolphin appeared as it leapt out in front of me, a black shape in the night gifting me with the present. Alerted, I look up and notice an ethereal white rainbow, a phenomenon projected onto the moonlit horizon. Its veil of delicate silk inviting my imagination to explore beyond it. I am certain the man in the moon ‘winked’ at me and I wondered if I was dreaming. But I was wide awake and silently grateful for the gentle, welcome rain. I could see the glow of a companion yacht in the distance. I think of them as a sailor does, with meaningful best wishes for smooth sailing. I felt privileged to be a guest in this exhilarating aquatic theatre, choreographed by nature. We trim the sails, eat Tim-Tams and I am warmed by the activity.

I wake, on my first morning to nausea. This is not meant to happen; I don’t get sea-sick! So once again I know I must direct my thoughts elsewhere. I look at the sunrise with awe and admire the surprising, intermittent performances of whales breaching, their slaps and blows in the distance, and join the verbal applause with my crew as we delight in such displays. Still nauseated, I hum ‘Edelweiss’ to myself (the only song I know all the words to), eat one salty chip, and feel better, for which I am grateful as the exceptional catering has me eating heartily with these men as the day progresses.

We blow the second kite that night. No more kite packing. After this ‘all hands-on deck’ event, we watch the numbers on the tachometer drop. Our skipper emerges and articulates the expletives that is expected by a seasoned sailor as he watches the dollar signs dissolve into the sea before him. He composes himself and remains positive and reassuring. I’m impressed. We sail on. The second night of my first ocean yacht race is energising and I know I’ve made the right choice. I think big. I make plans and continue to dream.

Docked at sunrise and with Fruit Salid 3 at rest, we eat burgers and absorb the enthusiastic welcome of those who greet us. The stories continue. We are loud and preserved with rum and salt. It feels good. We feel heroic. We congratulate ourselves as one, we are a team.

As the celebrations continue ashore, I return alone to my bunk and quietly reflect. I feel grateful for the inspiring sailors I have met over the past three years, female and male, young and not so young, for sharing their honest stories of endurance and resilience, all infused with humour, all unique, all impressive. Without these stories, I would not have had this experience. I recall bravely asking Stacey Jackson at her 2019 International Women’s day talk on her Volvo and Sydney to Hobart races, ‘How old is too old to sail these ocean races?’ her reply, as expected, was ‘you’re never too old’ and gave examples of mature women who continue to sail professionally and continue to inspire. Jeanne Socrates is a perfect example.

Resting from the rum, I contact my Broadsword sailing mates via email, update them, and thank them for supporting me, equipping me, and enabling me with the opportunities to prepare for my first ocean race. They reply with hearty congratulations and I miss them. I climb Fan Rock at Double Head to celebrate. Fruit Salid 3 looks peaceful from this distance, and I admire her. I feel a connection to this magnificent, capable lady, and I continue to ponder on her name, ‘How could something so exquisite be christened with the name Fruit Salid 3 ?’ well that is just another story that only her owner can tell!

I was thrilled with this experience to say the least, but more notable was the opportunity gifted me by like-minded persons who ‘got it,’ a silent understanding, no explanation needed, a serendipitous gift. Thank you, Mark, Dan, Mick, Tom, and Evan.

So, what’s next on my liquid horizon? I’m not sure, but my bag is packed and I’m ready to set sail again… tomorrow!

The two of us

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 03:17:55 GMT

'The two of us'

by Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders

Annette Hesselmans (mum):

It has taken me a lifetime of sailing to reach this point. To have the confidence to sail 4500 nautical miles as skipper with my 20-year-old daughter Sophie and her boyfriend Jack as crew. I do not know why it takes a perfectly experienced woman this long to believe in herself. I do know, however, that I now feel an enormous sense of achievement. I am so proud of Sophie and I for embarking on this incredible journey: sailing our yacht, Red Jacket from Osaka, Japan to Townsville, Australia. Many miles and experiences have passed under Red’s keel and I will always value sharing this experience with Sophie. I dearly hope that I have given Sophie the confidence to embark on her own journey and to believe in herself. I also dearly hope that with each female sailing accomplishment, there will be more female sailors heading out to sea.

The sail back from Osaka is considered for many Melbourne to Osaka yacht race competitors to be an anticlimax after completing this incredible double handed race. For many owner/skippers, a delivery crew is organised for the return voyage.

As one of three women competing in the race, I can vouch that competing in the Melbourne to Osaka double handed yacht race is without doubt very satisfying (to say the least) and worth many a celebration on completion. For me, the sail home was the culmination of my two year ‘Osaka’ journey. This voyage represented all that I had been striving for and the reason for entering this crazy race: endurance, pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, gaining greater knowledge and skills; and, inspiring other women to sail. Inspiring my daughter was beyond my wildest dreams.

Whilst Sophie has sailed many miles throughout her life, most of these have been as a toddler (swinging about the yacht like an orangutan); child (with our yacht full of stuffed horses with Sophie sitting in the cockpit in her jodhpurs and riding boots); or as a monosyllabic teenager, depleting the ship's batteries and stores whilst grumbling that she would rather be at a party with her friends.

Actually, despite her grumblings, I think Sophie has always had a connection with the ocean and sailing. I remember on our sail to Tasmania, when Sophie was seven, her sitting in the cockpit mesmerised by the ocean and the seabirds. It always seemed that the rougher and wilder the conditions, the more captivated Sophie became.

I could not have asked for a more capable, passionate and reliable crew member than Sophie. It is not an easy sail from Japan to Australia, particularly with the changing seasons marking an end to the north easterly trades and the beginning of the typhoon season. Crossing the equator, tackling the frantic shipping traffic along the Japanese coast, coping with the extraordinary heat, constant rain squalls (we could shake reefs in and out in our sleep) and the Doldrums can make a mockery out of the strongest character. Sophie took all of this in her stride.

I must admit that Red is not the most comfortable of yachts. She is built for racing and much of her cabin is taken up with the centreboard case and central engine compartment. The galley is snug and ‘fridgeless’, the aft bunks are like sleeping in a coffin, and the navigation station is wedged behind the companionway. Throw in some leaky ports and deck fittings and Red makes backpacking luxurious in comparison!

There is also such a lot to do day after day on a leaky boat heading into trying conditions. Navigation, watch keeping, ensuring safe passage, entry into unfamiliar ports, food preparation, rest, maintenance to name but a few. To the best of her ability, Sophie shared this load and I am instilled with complete faith and trust in her. Sophie very quickly learnt to read the AIS; understand the navigation systems aboard and had no hesitation in waking me as requested with any concerns.

Sophie could feel when Red was overpowered and learnt to read Red’s ‘personality’.

We shook reefs in and out together; raised and lowered the Code Zero in fickle winds; negotiated the entrances to coral atolls together; dealt with grumpy warships off Saipan and thought of creative ways to use our meagre rations and too many bunches of bananas. Of course, there were a few mother and daughter tiffs, but these were quickly forgotten. To be perfectly honest, Sophie was far more mature than me. I recall sulking on the cabin top after getting grumpy when we were overpowered by a rain squall whilst Sophie was on watch.

I revelled in Sophie’s excitement at entering a foreign port; I cherished ‘happy hour’ together listening to her chatter and enthusiasm for life; I shared in Sophie’s awe at the endless sky and clouds; the beauty of the sea and animals which we saw; I observed proudly Sophie’s warmth and empathy interacting with others we met along the way; I felt Sophie’s disappointment encountering plastic waste on remote atolls and I shared in her frustration with the relentless headwinds and heat.

Sophie and I are now home and so much richer for our experiences. We both have such a sense of accomplishment. I certainly am feeling very satisfied with what we have achieved and no longer feel like I have to prove myself. I certainly hope that Sophie never feels that she has to prove herself.

Sophie is now living aboard her own yacht, Nakama and plans to sail the oceans whilst trying to save the planet all at the same time.

Sophie Snijders (d aughter):

The Melbourne to Osaka had been the talk of the house for two years, first the excitement of entering and looking at potential boats, then the stress of realising the chosen boat needed lots of work and then the anticipation of the departure date. Mum had her eyes and her whole existence set on the race and nothing would get in the way of her and the start line. Her life mission is to set an example and inspire other women to get out onto the water in confidence. I believe those close in association to mum felt moved by her ambition and motivated by her sense of adventure. Few had to remind her what she was doing wasn’t ‘crazy’ as she quite often put it but ‘amazing’. Through all the stresses, achievements and preparation of the Osaka, Mum held it in her stride and made it to the start line with my dad as her team mate.

It was one thing for Mum to be doing the Melbourne to Osaka, but when it edged nearer to the departure date, the talk of the return trip was being thrown around. My mum has always provided me with the best opportunities that one couldn’t even think of. My dad too of course, but we are talking about Mum here. Only recently have I been into sailing so organising the return trip, Jack (my boyfriend) and I somehow put our hands up and before we knew it the 4500 nm Japan to Australia journey lay before our eyes. Having my dearest Mumma guiding the way of our young souls she threw us quite literally in the deep end, but it couldn’t have been better.

Mum has always dragged me off to the boat, most often when I was little, my brother and I would scream in the car ride all the way to the boat “I don’t want to go to the boat!! I hate the boat!!”. Poor Sago , our family cruising yacht, must have been so offended.

As I look back, I realise we were nothing more than spoilt brats. With age when I was convinced to come sailing I was more distracted by the boys to talk to and jealous that I didn’t go to the party all my friends went too. I felt like I was missing out on all the ‘cool’ things. But once again looking back I was doing the ‘cool’ thing.

To my surprise, the return trip on Red Jacket was a sail I could not miss out on. But Red would have to get to Japan first which I knew with mum’s determination nothing would stop her from reaching the finishing line. The alternator tried when it literally had a ‘melt down’ in the Solomon Sea. Mum was prepared to sail the rest of the way hand steering and with skeleton power but thankfully, Mum and Dad managed to fix the alternator keeping Red’s power supply going until the alternator was replaced in Osaka.

From leaving Osaka I was so impressed with Mum’s capability. Mum really did have some serious guts to take Jack and me, two fairly inexperienced crew, out into the unpredictable ocean (even with Predict Wind) on such a long journey. I don’t think many other people would be brave enough or would put absolute faith in two young people. I think you have to admire Mum for this alone. This sail was so mentally challenging as well as physically demanding. At times I didn’t know how Mum did it, as she was the person we would wake at night when a boat popped up on AIS or a light appeared that wasn’t on AIS. We would wake her for sail changes (potentially multiple times in a night) or for a scary squall. Mum held the weight of us when we were down and drained, she would bring positivity to the most difficult times.

Mum and I shared accomplishment and relief when we went through the coral atoll pass without ending up on reef; we marvelled at the beauty of land and ocean; we wondered of the depth and creatures that lurked beneath Red; together admired beautiful sunsets with vibrant colours; and we felt overwhelmed and defeated by the prolific amount of plastic pollution. Mum thrived to help the small inhabited island in Micronesia with her nursing skills and limited first aid equipment, even giving our small provisions away because she will always put others first. People cherished her effort and rewarded her with their generosity. I lived for her enthusiasm to interact with locals or other anchored boats; I enjoyed our worldly chats with whatever we had left to drink in our small, depleting, alcohol department.

Mum got us safely home, through multiple seas, changing seasons, and negotiating new places. Mum and I shared the last sunrise together off Townsville, our great 4500 nm journey was coming to a close, but our hearts were open with gratitude, happiness and excitement for a hot shower.

I believe my mum is one very strong, resilient and beautiful woman. And I think she is very much succeeding in her mission to encourage women to believe that they are capable, because I know I wouldn’t be able to do it without her courage.

*Postscript: Sophie and her partner Slim have a YouTube channel ' Sailing Nakama ' which documents their current sailing adventures.

**Reprinted with permission from SisterShip Magazine

Entrepreneurial by Raylene Symons

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 09:58:43 GMT

Starting a business I could run from a boat is somethin g that I began working towards in 2015.

Starting a business I could run from a boat is something that I began working towards in 2015. Well before we had even set eyes on our lovely 40ft catamaran Another Angel, which we purchased in December 2016.

It was a dream of mine, to be able to work from our boat to earn an income that would support us to travel full time and allow my partner to quit his job too.

ENTREPRENEURIAL (adjective) - willing to work hard and take risks in order to build up a business

By the time we moved onboard full time in February 2017, I had quit my full time corporate job, and had started what was initially a small writing business.

I took on writing projects for clients who already knew me, and wrote articles for print and online magazines about the things I was passionate about.

I was published in industry journals on topics related to my former corporate career in change management and business, and even wrote a personal story for Cruising Helmsman about my first Blue Water passage for which I was paid.

But I was shy about marketing my services, I wasn’t really sure how to talk about what I did - or how to reach the people who needed my services.

I didn’t have a degree in writing or lots of experience as a writer (although I studied Journalism & Psychology at University and I knew I had the skills to do what I was doing!).

“You must take yourself seriously before anyone else will.”

I managed to scrape together a small annual income in 2017 and 2018, never quite managing to deliver on the plan for my partner to quit his job so we could actually take off full time.

However, as I worked to build my little business and tried to grow an income that would sustain me to travel the world, I invested in my knowledge and understanding of digital marketing, SEO and web design.

In the process, I rediscovered my passion for marketing and the confidence to promote my business.

Early in my career, before the corporate job, I had worked in marketing roles for sporting clubs and event management.

Marketing was a different world then and digital marketing was yet to come into it’s own - but I remember loving it at the time.

As my digital marketing knowledge grew, I found myself excitedly talking to friends with businesses, as well as my massage therapist; my hairdresser; the local fruit & vege shop owner; literally anyone who would spend 5 minutes with me, about what they could be doing, and how they could use digital marketing to grow their own businesses.

It took a good friend to pull me up one day and point out that when I spoke about digital marketing and helping people to grow and develop their businesses, it was obvious how passionate I was about it.

She told me, “Your eyes light up and you just glow whenever you start talking about it, that doesn’t happen when you talk about your writing. I know you are good at writing, but why aren’t you doing this marketing stuff as your business?”

It took me another few months to take her advice onboard, as I wondered if I was good enough to be able to help other people with their digital marketing.

“Stop letting your potential go to waste because you don’t feel confident or ready enough.”

I started small, developing my web design skills and taking on some web design projects including the Sistership Magazine website redesign. Adding some social media marketing for Cycle Sunshine Gran Fondo to the mix of writing projects I had.

Encouraged by the success of those initial digital marketing projects, I decided to stop hesitating and just go for it.

In May and June this year, I undertook a full business re-design and rebrand and launched Saltwater Digital Australia providing super affordable website design (because unlike the big agencies I have minimal overheads on a boat!), business marketing consulting, search engine optimisation, keyword-driven content creation and social media marketing for businesses just like my own - small, personal, passionate.

In October this year, I will launch a second business Websites for Tradies that focuses exclusively on Trade business websites in partnership with my brother who is a carpenter by trade.

Both these businesses are fully remote and can be run from anywhere in the world (which will be great if we ever get to travel beyond Queensland waters again!).

The best thing is, if I can maintain the growth I’ve had since launching in July this year, my partner being able to quit his job and us being able to travel full time is finally, truly within our grasp.

Starting and building a business is hard work. Starting and building a business that supports you to live aboard a boat, while travelling the oceans is, in my opinion, a dream that is worth the work.

“Ask yourself if what you are doing today, is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.”

2020 has been a crazy year. While there has been many difficult aspects to this year for so many people. But one thing that I am personally grateful for is the fact that now more than ever in history, running a business as a live-aboard, on a boat, while living on the ocean is more within people’s reach than ever before.

This year, the majority of the population learnt that meetings don’t need to be done in person, that working remotely is perfectly acceptable, and both in Australia and globally the number of people who were looking for and happily purchasing goods and services online increased dramatically.

87% of Australian consumers search for products and services online and 9 out of 10 Australian consumers purchase goods and services online every single month. That means that if you either run an online business, or are thinking about starting an online business there is literally no better time in history for you to do this.

If you have a business, but you are shy about telling people what you do, or you want to start a business that can give you the kind of freedom I was craving, I have a couple of pieces of advice that helped me move beyond where I was.

5 Things That Can Help You Build a Successful Online Business

Write down your dream for your "boatlyfe" business - with a pen, on paper - not just in your head. Then go further and write down what you would need to do to achieve that dream. If the steps seem too big to achieve, break those steps down into smaller steps until they are things you can do today. Then start taking action.

“A dream written down becomes a goal, a goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action becomes reality.”

2. Get in the habit of asking yourself, “Does this support the life I’m trying to create?”

If it doesn’t, change it!

3. Aim for progress, not perfection as you tick off your actions and steps towards the dream.

4. Stop waiting for the right moment, to do what you need to do, the moment is now.

Success is achieved when you stop waiting for it, when you stop worrying about failing and make the most of the opportunities you have in front of you right now.

You will never always be motivated so you must learn to be disciplined and take action, even when you are not sure if you can do it.

5. Never forget how wildly capable you are. You are already 1000x braver than most people in business.

You are a woman who has already chosen a different path to most.

Learn to let the space between where you are, and where you want to be inspire you, not terrify you.

I would love to help you turn your "boatlyfe" business idea into reality!

If you have a business, are an author or run an online eCommerce venture and want a website that works better, or a refresh of your brand I would love to help you. If you are looking for someone who understands where you are coming from to support you to promote and grow your lifestyle business, get in touch.

Raylene Symons

Digital Creator, Website Designer, Sailor

Saltwater Digital Australia

SV Another Angel

IG @saltwaterdigitalaustralia

E saltwaterdigitalmarketing@gmail.com

W www.saltwaterdigitalaustralia.com.au

Simplicity by Leanne Hembrow

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 04:40:46 GMT

Simplicity - Leanne Hembrow

Malalo Island, Fiji

It’s early morning, I am sitting in the cockpit of our home, a whistling breeze is humming, creating ripples on the sea, the boat gently rides the movement hanging into the wind.

As I sip my lemon green tea, I’m transfixed by the beauty.

I stare at the island fringed with palm trees, hills so still and strong, undulations covered in parts like a moss blanket. There is a village tucked away and life begins to move across the exposed sandy bay at low tide.

They walk slowly through narrow bodies of water, sunshine highlights their figures as they stand at the edge of the sand bar awaiting their boat ride, they transverse the body of water to the adjoining island… daily work begins.

"Simplicity… the quality of being simple and not complicated. My life at times presents challenges, not unlike others, but I have a balance living a simplistic ocean life." - Leanne H Hembrow

For some reason the movie “Pretty Woman” comes to mind, Richard Gere in his corporate suit, shoes and socks off, trousers hitched, standing in Central Park, New York, walking on the grass. I reflect on my past working life… and ponder… I don’t miss jamming my feet into shoes daily.

On the adjoining island they greet holiday makers from all walks of life… customer service, requests, expectations, demands… shoes!

Some live on the adjoining island away from their families. They take an hour for themselves before work…

I traverse across the body of water to the pontoon, yoga bag swung upon my shoulder, I join the smiling faces of my students.

Yoga Class Plantation Malalo Lailai, Fiji

We walk along the sand past the sleepy resort, up the newly carved rugged path to the top of the island to a yoga deck with a 360 degree view of the Mamanuca islands.

A guest has joined us today, and students are excited to share this new yoga experience.

After class they ask, did you like it?

“Their lives seem simple, quiet, peaceful where they have left … woven mats upon the earth below the swaying palms ‘Simplicity’.” - Leanne H Hembrow

The guest replied how much she enjoys yoga, students chat openly, sharing she is new to yoga but loves how the feeling lasts throughout her busy day, amazed at just how good it makes her feel.

To overhear this makes me smile, lightness in body and mind is what yoga gives to me, humbled our shared practice is benefiting her daily life.

We descend the hill and she continues to share that she has lost weight and is enjoying the healthy lifestyle their manager is creating within their island community.

Health is something I take seriously and believe all should feed their bodies as best they can both internally and externally.

I’m excited for my new students. Health is becoming a priority in their lives. Gut health awareness has changed how my body feels and performs daily.

I am sharing this awareness with my Island friends also to help further improve their ‘Happy Long Life’.

“You cannot begin to understand others unless you immerse yourself into their lives, life moves by on the island not unlike any busy city with construction, change, management, but with the ever present relaxed influence of Island time.” - Leanne H Hembrow

My ocean life and island friends are intertwined with peaceful similarities and simplicity!

Namasté, I honour the place in you where the entire universe dwells. We are the same, we are one.

A  namasté  between two yogis is a pact made to honour the highest, truest, most authentic parts of themselves, and let their limitations fall away.

Namasté, the process of unpacking it can be a spiritual quest of the heart.

It is one thing to conceptually understand this philosophy, but it is another to feel it in your bones.

My hope is to continue introducing yoga into the lives of my Fijian friends.

Leanne

My first Fijian yogini friends I bonded with introducing yoga at Nanuya Island Resort Blue Lagoon

Influence by Julie Porter

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 04:22:13 GMT

"Influence" By Julie Porter

It’s 1970. A young girl, no more than the age of five, standing on the shore overlooking the marina and gazing at boats, wondering.

Puzzling at the maze of lines and the tall masts, she asks her Dad, “Can we go on one of them?” He replies wistfully, “Not today; maybe one day”.

They continue walking along the shore, and the Wellington-Picton ferry, Aratika, comes into sight.

“We will be on that soon”, skipping happily along, knowing that soon she will be visiting her favourite aunt and sailing through Queen Charlotte Sound.

Fast forward a few years; there have been many walks along the foreshore with her Dad and journeys on the ferry. Even though the opportunity to sail was yet to occur, there was always a fascination with boats.

So began my story.

One day in 1982, the local newspaper had a picture of a boat. Not just any boat, but a sailing ship.

The caption is “Share your Spirit of Adventure”, trainees wanted and a postal address.

Being very reserved, (still no taller than 5 foot) and shy, this was perfect. No need to make a phone call (no email in those days; that was yet to be invented). I wrote a letter requesting more information and posted it off, never really expecting to hear anything but always hopeful.

A few days later, a package arrived in the mail with more information about the ship and most importantly, how to apply for a bursary. With great trepidation, I approached the principal with an application. The most memorable part of the conversation was, “Why would you do that? You’re a girl and no-one from our College has ever done it before”.

I remember answering, “Why not; that’s all the more reason to do it”. The principal smiled amusedly, and the application was sent.

The journey begins. Stepping onboard the Spirit of Adventure in May 1982 was the day that really would set a new course.

Approaching the vessel, it was like nothing that I had ever seen before. I stood on the dock in awe. So many lines, and the masts looked enormous. Would I really get to climb up there?

Once onboard, in our allocated watches, and after the first few hours, the Wellington weather lived up to its wet and windy reputation. The first lesson: if you haven't packed, followed the list, then you'll have to adapt and use what you have. No electric blankets here!

Ours was an all-female trainee trip, the Master of the vessel was Captain Nick Hylton; First Mate Naomi Peterson.

It was the small things that made such an impact. Being of short stature, reading the compass at night was challenging. Unable to easily see the Lubber Line, the ship’s course was frequently heading towards Nelson rather than Picton. Captain Hylton came up from below, looking concerned.

He noticed the problem, and rather than react angrily, said learn to sail like the old mariners; follow your dream and follow the stars. He pointed out the Southern Cross and the stars Altaire and Antares. Line the top of the mainmast and follow Antares. If Altaire is dominant, you’re not following your dream.

It was exhilarating. No longer did the boat deviate as if on a wild journey to the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, no longer did I need to stand on tiptoes to steer.

Once at Oyster Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, there were opportunities to catch up on traditional sailing skills.

Mike, the Engineer, and First Mate Naomi both had a passion for ropework and old school navigation. Out came the old ropes and tools. They taught us rudimentary splicing and Sennett’s and of course made baggywrinkle. The feel of the line, the professional crew teaching us to respect the ship, and the old ways of the sailors instilled the seed of a new love.

We learned to navigate with paper charts, no GPS or mobile phones in those days. The nav space was for navigation, not cups of tea or coffee. We were encouraged to keep our own copy of the log in a Spirit of Adventure folder which I still have (even though a little worse for wear now).

My biggest disappointment was the heavy brass instruments weren’t for sale!

The friendship and comradery of the watch was special. Very different backgrounds, very different aspirations; all with different ways of coping in this micro-environment that would become a part of our beings. I was delighted to be one of the trainees exempt from mal de mer ; instead being one of the lucky ones able to appreciate the adventure, even when cold, wet and windy! We stepped ashore at Whangawehi, where the anchor of the SS Tasmania rests. Stepping off the ship at the end of 10 days in wonder; never realising just how much of the impact this journey had had.

Life moved on.

Tall ships became a part of life, and every time one came into port, it was a mission to go and visit it and remember the Spirit. Another sailing trip, this time as a passenger on Tradewind. Visiting Whakaari / White Island, we all appreciated the raw beauty of the environment; and a newfound respect for the people who had been there before. The images of the sulphur works, now a haunting reminder of the tragic event in 2019.

Another ship and mariner with an ongoing influence; Captain Dave Mayhew would appear many years later as one of my trainers towards a Master <24m with the same fundamental message; “Feel the wind …. perseverance always wins”.

The next big adventure was Outward Bound, Anakiwa. The three days sailing on the cutter Resolution was the best part of the 21-day course. The wind, the waves, the rowing, and again the opportunity to set our course once again on the water.

Many years passed. A move to rural Queensland. Life changed somewhat, marriage and then sadly my husband Neil passed away. Another move to Tasmania.

Imagine the delight of discovering tall ships right in the heart of Hobart! Opportunity abounded. After sailing for a special day watching The King of the Derwent from Windeward Bound, a chat with Captain Sarah and the chance to join the volunteer crew of Winde. The delight of being on the boat for a Parade of Sail sailing to Hobart as the fleet sailed to the Wooden Boat Festival was special.

There was a pretty little ketch just in front of the James Craig. I took a photo of the boat, thinking about the difference between the smaller vessel and the larger Craig; wondering what it would take to sail the little one. It seemed sacrilege to see such a pretty little boat motoring up the channel and missing the opportunity to show off her sails! That “little” boat was Rhona H.

Then, crewing on Lady Nelson and the ship where I met my new partner Charles.

Three years on and 2013, the Sydney Harbour fleet review. Charles and I were fortunate to be on voyages both to and from Hobart. We knew the Rhona was for sale, and Charles had fallen in love with her years before. There is something about Bass Strait. Dreams are made, and decisions cast that chart directions that otherwise may not have been.

The Skipper of the Lady Nelson, Allen, on the (rather rough) crossing to Sydney, (but that’s another story) had some wise words. Learn from the weather, learn from your crew, learn what you’d do to improve next time; and learn from what you have each and every moment while you can. The decision was made on the return trip across Bass Strait. We bought SV Rhona H and created Heritage Sailing Tasmania . Our tag line “SV Rhona H – The Ship that Sails” was generated by one of our guests, and it goes without saying, we sail!

Life does go full circle.

The impact of the professional crew on the Spirit must be recognised. To recall their names and the experience so vividly nearly 40 years on shows the influence of those early days and the impression made.

Sailing with Tessa Duder, talking about the Spirit, and recalling the time with Captain Hylton all happened due to the Tall Ship network. Who would have thought the young girl, puzzling at the maze of lines and the tall masts, asking her Dad, “Can we go on one of them?” would ever own one of them – albeit a historic Tasmanian tall ship keeping that Spirit dream alive.

women-who-sail-australia

We Did Not Set Out to Restore a Sailboat

On improvements, unintended projects, and a boat that keeps evolving

By Fiona Bengtsson

Revolutionising the Blue Economy: Explorer Lisa Blair OAM and ACM CRC Partners Launch Landmark Project to Advance Sustainable Marine Composites

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Home is changing

Ten books by solo women sailors

WWSA's Shelley Wright shares ten of her favourite books by women solo sailors

Croc wise in Queensland

Cruising in croc country

New world record for Lisa Blair!

NEW SAILING RECORD COURSE SET IN NZ BY SAILOR LISA BLAIR

Lisa Blair on home run for new sailing record

Acclaimed solo sailor Lisa Blair to set off on new World Record attempt tomorrow

Lisa Blair set to smash World Sailing Speed Record!

Sydney to Auckland arrival due today!

Island Cruising Acquires Down Under Rally

Inspiring women to sail

Annette Hesselmans at the WWSA Gathering on the Bay 2023

Setting you and your boat up to win

Sonia Robinson and the WWSA Gathering on the Bay

WWSA Gathering on the Bay 2023

What is the Gathering on the Bay?

WWSA turns nine!

It's our birthday!

WWSA at the AWBF!

WWSA in Tassie!

Thank you from Lisa Blair!

Thank you WWSA!

Over the start line...

Over the start line and away to the Southern Ocean

"I'm pretty excited about the whole thing!"

Supporting our Lisa!

WWSA's three degrees of longitude

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Women Who Sail Australia has two degrees! And a third on the way!

Women Making Waves

Women Making Waves event at the Coral Sea Academy, Whitsundays

What did we do?

What did we do?

A first for a new sailor by Christine Hunter

2020 Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race: a first for a new sailor

The two of us

'The two of us'

﻿ by Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders

Entrepreneurial by Raylene Symons

Starting a business I could run from a boat is somethin g that I began working towards in 2015.

5 Things That Can Help You Build a Successful Online Business

Simplicity by Leanne Hembrow

Simplicity - Leanne Hembrow

"Simplicity… the quality of being simple and not complicated. My life at times presents challenges, not unlike others, but I have a balance living a simplistic ocean life." - Leanne H Hembrow ﻿

“Their lives seem simple, quiet, peaceful where they have left … woven mats upon the earth below the swaying palms ‘Simplicity’.” - Leanne H Hembrow

“You cannot begin to understand others unless you immerse yourself into their lives, life moves by on the island not unlike any busy city with construction, change, management, but with the ever present relaxed influence of Island time.” - Leanne H Hembrow ﻿

Influence by Julie Porter

"Influence" By Julie Porter

by Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders

"Simplicity… the quality of being simple and not complicated. My life at times presents challenges, not unlike others, but I have a balance living a simplistic ocean life." - Leanne H Hembrow

“You cannot begin to understand others unless you immerse yourself into their lives, life moves by on the island not unlike any busy city with construction, change, management, but with the ever present relaxed influence of Island time.” - Leanne H Hembrow