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

Arctic circle, here we come!

2 August - 9 August 2025 ( week 1)

Join Host Michael and his family again on SV Saeftinghe for this unforgettable cruise along Norway's incredible coastline

apply here

Norway cruise

9 August - 16 August 2025 (week 2)

Join us onboard Saeftinghe for this spectacular cruise exploring Norwegian fjords.

apply here

Lion New Zealand

25-29th November 2024

Once again our friends at New Zealand Sailing Trust are offering a unique opportunity to sail on this world beating Maxi Yacht sailing from Auckland, New Zealand. This is a great opportunity to extend your skills and enjoy some of the most beautiful sailing grounds in the world. Get on board and get involved! This is an amazing opportunity for our #magnificentsailors

apply here

More sailing with Zac in Mexico!

January 19-25, February 16-22, March 16-22, and April 13-19 2025

Join Zac on board Encore for the most lovely winter retreat in Mexico and start 2025 off magnificently!
Where? : Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
This past season we really proved our concept with four amazing week-long adventures
with 7-8 crew onboard of all skill and mobility levels onboard.
Please don’t hesitate to sign up and ask questions by emailing

sailingms@gmail.com

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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