How to join our IMOCA Open 60 Race Crew (Webinar)
Ocean Sailing Podcast
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...
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From 1 to 4 yachts, in 4 years: the Ocean Sailing Expeditions story continues
Ocean Sailing Podcast
David Hows has returned with thrilling announcements for 2025 at Ocean Sailing Expeditions, unveiling his vision for the year ahead. Fresh from crossing the finish line of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in 14th place with their new IMOCA Open 60 extreme race yacht 'Awen,' David's just been in Auckland to host 210 guests aboard their new 105-foot superyacht; 'Sea Breeze III', for the Sail GP Auckland event. Over the past six months, the Ocean Sailing Expeditions business has undergone a remarkable transformation. With a fleet now comprising four yachts ranging from 60 to 105 feet, the company...
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Sharon Ferris-Choat: Sydney Hobart Race 2024 Debrief
Ocean Sailing Podcast
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....
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David Hows - How I turned my sailing passion into a business at age 50
Ocean Sailing Podcast
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...
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David Hows: The acquisition of the 105 foot Sea Breeze III - crossing to the dark side
Ocean Sailing Podcast
David shares the story of his latest love affair, after falling for Seabreeze III, a 48-year-old classic 105-foot motoryacht, that he is acquiring for the rapidly growing, Ocean Sailing Expeditions fleet. After stumbling across Seabreeze III, 2-months ago and reading all about the painstaking restoration undertaken from 2019-2021 at a cost of more than $3.3m, by the current "motivated vendors", it was just too hard to go past. David openly shares the story of the roller coaster ride with Ocean Sailing Expeditions over the past 5 years and why this addition to the business makes total...
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$1 Reserve Sailing Auction / Ocean Sailing Expeditions update with David Hows
Ocean Sailing Podcast
In this episode we share the webinar recording with David Hows, Skipper and Founder of Ocean Sailing Expeditions, where he covers: - Details on the upcoming 15-leg Australian Circumnavigation in 2026-27 and why its bigger, better and more exciting than the previous event in 2023 - A sneak peek at the new sailing destinations, that haven't been released yet - Information about the new racing events on the sailing calendar - Insights into the challenges of expanding our fleet from two, to four yachts in 2024 and all of the challenges and costs that come with that and the expanded team of 20...
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Matt Harvey / David Hows - Australian Circumnavigation Review: 8,500nm in 4 months
Ocean Sailing Podcast
Skippers David Hows and Matt Harvey catch up to review their 2-yacht circumnavigation of Australia in 2023. With 8,500nm covered in just 4 months, they share the highs and lows of covering the 7th largest coastline in the world. The event was spread over 5 legs and 102 crew in total, across the two 72-foot yachts; Silver Fern and Salt Lines, including 3 circumnavigators that completed all 5 legs. With 4,600 meals prepared, it was a planning exercise of military proportions. With engine failures, crocodiles, storms and boat fatigue to deal with, sailing some sections of this vast country are...
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Sharon Ferris-Choat: From troubled student to Olympian, Volvo Ocean Race, Jules Vern and Extreme Cats
Ocean Sailing Podcast
Sharon was a teenager heading for trouble when she discovered sailing. Starting in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Sharon watched Maiden race around the world with an incredible international team of women. They inspired her with the determination and belief that if they could do it, then maybe with a lot of hard work and determination, so could she. Every opportunity to sail was taken. Sharon discovered her passion, the need for camaraderie, the endless adventure seeking and new challenges to overcome. She wanted to race around the world, but the opportunity to compete in the Europe...
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Jon Bilger - Predicting the Wind
Ocean Sailing Podcast
David Hows catches up with Jon Bilger to talk about a long list of innovations and new features at PredictWind. As an Olympic and America’s Cup sailor, Jon is one of the sailing world’s, cool geeks. Very few people have competed at the level Jon has, and possess the ability to turn their knowledge into tech tools that any sailor can use. PredictWind is the global leader in weather forecasting for sailors and its used by both top racers and everyday cruisers alike. As a user of PredictWind for almost a decade, I have found it perfect for my departure planning and weather routing at sea....
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Exploring the Yasawa Islands in Fiji by yacht
Ocean Sailing Podcast
In this episode David Hows and Matt Harvey share their advice and highlights from cruising the stunning Yasawa Islands in Fiji over the past 2 winters. They share tips on getting there, provisioning, repairs and maintenance in remote locations, navigation and weather. From sailing to swimming, snorkelling, underwater caves, untouched, white sand beaches, delicious local cuisine, incredible sea life and the beautiful Fijian people and their rich culture - this destination is a “must do” for cruising sailors and those planning a sailing holiday to a unique destination. Find out more:
info_outlineIn this episode David Hows and Matt Harvey share their advice and highlights from cruising the stunning Yasawa Islands in Fiji over the past 2 winters. They share tips on getting there, provisioning, repairs and maintenance in remote locations, navigation and weather.
From sailing to swimming, snorkelling, underwater caves, untouched, white sand beaches, delicious local cuisine, incredible sea life and the beautiful Fijian people and their rich culture - this destination is a “must do” for cruising sailors and those planning a sailing holiday to a unique destination.
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Find out more: about sailing in Fiji