Stephanie Neil - The launch of Fiji Surf Charter with Sea Breeze III
In this one-of-a-kind, "not-about-sailing" episode, I sit down with the bold and enthusiastic Stephanie Neil , Founder of Fiji Surf Charter, to uncover the story behind her leap from the laid-back shores of Northern NSW to launching a live-aboard surf adventure business in the heart of the South Pacific. We explore the serendipitous way our paths first crossed and the incredible vision Stephanie has brought to life: a floating surf retreat aboard the stunning Sea Breeze III, set among the world-class breaks of the Mamanuca Islands. With a passion for waves, remote destinations, and turning dreams into reality, Stephanie has created an unforgettable way to experience Fiji from the water — board in hand, ocean breeze in your face, and not a tourist crowd in sight. Stephanie's no stranger to the world of ocean adventures. With 12 years of experience living in the Maldives and Fiji, she's navigated the highs and lows of starting businesses in some of the world's most breathtaking — and logistically challenging — corners. Her entrepreneurial story is gutsy, inspiring, and filled with the kind of insight that only comes from years spent living life off the beaten path. If you live for the thrill of uncrowded surf breaks, tropical sunsets, and waking up on the water with the next wave just a short paddle away, this episode is your call to adventure. Join us as we dive into what makes Fiji Surf Charter more than just a surf trip — it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Find out more: https://fijisurfcharter.com/fiji-surf-charter-7-night-luxury
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30:57
David Hows - What's keeping me awake at night right now!
David shares an update on the latest challenges at Ocean Sailing Expeditions. Buying an IMOCA Open 60 yacht complete with a carbon mast and canting keel is enough of a project, without adding a 105 foot motor-yacht to the fleet at the same time. From start-up to 4 vessels in 5 years, it's been a roller coaster ride at times. Battle weary from 6 months of boat yards, budget blow-outs and upgrades, and on the eve of his first ocean passage in a motor-vessel, David talks candidly about what's keeping him awake at night at the moment. Join us onboard for a sailing adventure: https://oceansailingexpeditions.com/sailing-calendar
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How to join our IMOCA Open 60 Race Crew (Webinar)
Do you have the drive for adventure and the desire to push your limits? Whether you're an experienced sailor or a keen adventurer looking for the ultimate challenge, this episode is a live webinar recording, designed to invite you as a crew member, inside the exciting world of high performance ocean racing. Join Sharon Ferris-Choat and David Hows as they dive into what makes the Ocean Sailing Expeditions offshore racing events an unforgettable experience. Whether you dream of competing in an iconic race or want to test yourself in an adrenaline-pumping passage, this webinar will show you how you can take part – full training provided! No matter what level of experience you are starting at, we have racing events that can match your goals. Sharon Ferris-Choat was the first female to win a round-the-world race, is a veteran of 2 Olympic Games, has competed in the Volvo Ocean Race, holds 5 World Sailing Speed Records, Match Racing Titles and was Co-Skipper on the yacht Maidan in 2019. Sharon is Skipper, Team Development Manager and Race Program Director for Ocean Sailing Expeditions. Since joining Ocean Sailing Expeditions, Sharon skippered our 2024 Hamilton Island Race Week entry to 1st place in the division and crossed the line 14th on our IMOCA Open 60 yacht Awen in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. David is a sailing addict and loves introducing new people to his love of all things - sailing. David has sailed more than 100,000nm as Skipper and have introduced more than 1,300 people to offshore sailing over the past 5 years through Ocean Sailing Expeditions. David is the Founder of Ocean Sailing Expeditions and has completed more than 400 races as Skipper. Join the crew: https://oceansailingexpeditions.com/awen-sailing-events Watch the webinar video: https://oceansailingexpeditions.com/imoca-open-60-racing-webinar
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Sharon Ferris-Choat: Sydney Hobart Race 2024 Debrief
David Hows catches up with Sharon Ferris-Choat for a debrief on the IMOCA Open 60 project - Awen. With less than 8 weeks to get Awen into MCA Cat 0 survey and to the start line, for the what turned out to be a treacherous edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, it was mission impossible. Despite the odds, Sharon led a passionate team, who worked around the clock during October and November of 2024, to then cross the Tasman from Opua to Sydney in early December and make it to the start line. Miraculously final approval to race was given by the CYCA just 4 hours before the race started. It was a refit and upgrade project of epic proportions and nail biting right to the end. We had no plan B, we simply had to complete the 700+ tasks in less than 7 weeks, to make the dream possible. And then the race got underway with gusts of 50 knots plus, hitting the fleet of 103 starters on the first night. The carnage that unfolded over the following 2-3 days was horrendous, as 30 yachts retired with broken masts, lost steering, water ingress, torn sails, injured bodies and the list goes on. Tragically 2 lives were lost, when crew members were hit by booms and mainsheets and a man overboard was successfully recovered during a moon-less night at sea. There are lessons in this for all of us. This the remarkable story of Sharon's leadership and seamanship, to pull a rookie crew together for the first time, 3 weeks earlier and to deliver them safely from Sydney to Hobart, despite hitting speeds of 24 knots plus at times, on a boat they were still learning to sail. Race with Sharon on Awen: https://oceansailingexpeditions.com/sailing-calendar-racing
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1:29:02
David Hows - How I turned my sailing passion into a business at age 50
David's daughter Madison interviews him about life lessons, building a sailing business, setbacks, challenges and the future ahead. In this episode, Madison dive's into Davids background as a 16-year school leaver and the 34 year journey he took, to launch and build Ocean Sailing Expeditions at age 50 as COVID 19 hit. This episode as about passion and resilience and not being afraid to take risks, if you believe in something, no matter what stage in in life you are at. David shares lessons from childhood, the challenges of finding yourself in a career you don't love and how to pivot and head in a completely new direction, even when the odds of success are stacked against you. Watch 2024 in pictures with Ocean Sailing Expediitons on YouTube Join an Ocean Sailing Expeditions Adventure
Capturing and sharing ocean sailing stories and adventures. The Ocean Sailing Podcast site is designed for people who love to cruise, race or explore the worlds oceans. Its also for those yet to experience the joy of sailing and those no longer able to cast off their dock lines and head for the open sea. Join now and subscribe free to our podcast episodes
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