Epic Challenges

Be utterly Magnificent!

For experienced participants looking for a significant challenge.

An Epic Challenge is an opportunity to really get out of your comfort zone and demonstrate that life has so many possibilities after diagnosis. These challenges will usually involve a longer passage on board an ocean-going yacht as part of a working crew of others with MS. Led by a professional crew, participants will be responsible for helping sail and navigate a particular route.

Most of our Epic Challenges are self funded by each participant. We may also ask participants to use this experience as a vehicle to support our fundraising through sponsorship.

crew of five sailors in orange life jackets at the helm of a yacht under a black canopy

What To Expect

Our Epic challenges offer a natural follow on for our more experienced sailors. The challenge will usually involve a longer journey and offshore sailing (out of sight of land) where you will sleep onboard the boat. These challenges are a great opportunity to escape from it all, build your confidence and widen your sailing experience.

  • Take an active part in navigation
  • Contribute to the delivery of the boat from A to B
  • Split into watch keeping teams alongside professional crew
  • You will be sailing at night and partaking in the watch system
  • More testing weather conditions and off-shore sailing

We recommend a little more experience for these challenges

A typical epic experience

You will be met by an Oceans of Hope Volunteer and taken to your boat. There will be plenty of time to meet other participants and chat over a cuppa.

  • Introduction to the Oceans of Hope experience
  • Introduction to Captain
  • Safety briefing and life jackets
  • Passage Planning and Navigation
  • Practise your sailing skills
  • Sleep onboard in a shared cabin
  • You will be divided into two teams (watches). In your watches, you’ll take it in turns to be involved in all aspects of sailing the Challenger from looking after her to cooking and cleaning

Challenge yourself and have fun!

 

Epic Challenges

Epic Adventure on board Lion New Zealand

23rd-27th November 2026

Come and join us down under in Auckland to celebrate 10 years of Oceans of Hope Challenge and 8 years of Oceans of Hope Challenge in New Zealand. We are so proud of our Admiral and our team of volunteers down under.
This is a great opportunity to get together with new and old friends on board the iconic, world beating Lion New Zealand.

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Arctic Adventure

29th August - 5th September 2026

Come and join our friends from Arruno Adventures on board the beautiful SV Saeftinghe for an amazing tour of the fjords and Lyngen Alps. This is a super opportunity for a real community voyage. You'll get a chance to see some exquisite nature and landscapes, put your sailing skills to the challenge and enjoy some great hearty food and Belgian hospitality.
We will be setting sail from Bergen and returning back to Bergen.

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Epic adventure above the Polar Circle

18th - 24th October 2026

Come with us in 2026 to celebrate our 10th anniversary of Oceans of Hope Challenges.
Come and join us further north than we have ever been! We offer the unique opportunity to explore the unforgettable wilderness of the Lyngen Alps and the Finmark right at the north of Norway. We invite you to sail on board the beautiful SV Saeftinghe which is well prepared for Arctic conditions. We will be in search of the northern lights and migrating whales. A truly unique, once in a lifetime opportunity.

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If you have participated in events and would like more of a challenge why not consider becoming a volunteer for Oceans of Hope?

Visit volunteering page

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