We’re not going to sit back and accept the status quo in our world of sailing. Instead we are navigating forwards with two big issues at the forefront of our minds. The health of our oceans and the gender imbalance in sailing participation. Step by step we plan to do what we can to make a difference.
When it comes to a respected shipmate to support these goals, the awesome Dee Caffari is second to none. As such, our crew are sponsoring Dee and her all-female teammates aboard “Haven K-J Go Greener” in the Women’s Open Keelboat Championship 2021 on 5th– 6th June 2021.
Hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, the regatta combines serious, competitive racing out on the water with a great social atmosphere back ashore. All competing yachts are fully female crewed, and we hope that the event encourages more women and girls to get involved.
If you are new to the world of sailing, you may not know Dee Caffari and why she is such a great role model for both promoting the gender balance in sailing and ocean health.
Dee has sailed around the world six times and is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. She is the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times. Dee is a vocal advocate for reducing our dependence on plastics and cleaning up our oceans, as well as supporting gender equality and youth development in sailing.
Sometimes you need to read the uncomfortable, pull your head out of the sand, open your eyes and rip the wool out of your ears. The 2019 World Sailing Trust Strategic Review into Women in Sailing provided hard facts through the responses of 4500 people around the world, that gender discrimination in sailing really is an issue that needs to be resolved. To develop sailing for all, perceptions need to be changed, discrimination needs to be brought to an end, and opportunities made available to all based on skill and talent. We are all for it. Let’s get navigating!
Few of you will have failed to notice our passion for penguins and we want to protect our trusty mascots future. Who doesn’t love penguins?
Making sure our oceans are returned to shipshape condition is no easy feat and the whole world needs to come together to achieve this. We need leaders like Dee to drive change and we want to work alongside her playing our part. Our “Go Greener” campaign is focusing our crew’s attention on the matter and creating “Team Go Greener” at the Women’s Open Keel Boat Championship, will hopefully encourage others to do the same.
You won’t find “Team Go Greener” covered with branding all over the hull and sail. Instead, we will be saving the plastic and using the budget to support the work of the WWF – Adopt a Penguin. We are only using reusable and where possible recyclable branding to promote Haven K-J.
