The St Helena Government has announced its ongoing support for the Open Oceans Fund, a collaboration with Wavysail, an ocean adventure company. The initiative provides fully funded offshore sailing opportunities to residents of St Helena and those with close personal connections to the island.
Applications are now open for the next grant, which covers participation in a blue-water sailing expedition from Cape Town to Jamestown. The voyage is scheduled to depart in October 2025. Past participants have included Josh Herne and Louis Youde.
Louis Youde, a previous grant recipient, said:
“My journey with WavySail was truly incredible, a real once in a lifetime experience. Some of the highlights were often really simple moments such as watching the Moon rise during the night shift or seeing the Albatross flying past the yacht. This was one of the most challenging things I have done, being on a relatively small boat for that much time, dealing with the day-to-day tasks and working the shifts was not always easy however very rewarding. If you like to challenge yourself or have always been interested in sailing then do consider this opportunity.”
Sebastian Stent, Senior Marketing Manager for SHG, commented:
“Wavysail has done incredible work creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences at sea, and we’re proud to continue supporting this initiative. This is a rare opportunity for a young Saint to gain hands-on sailing experience alongside some of the world’s best skippers, building skills, confidence, and global connections that will last a lifetime.”
The program seeks to make offshore sailing more accessible while recognizing St Helena’s connection to maritime activities. The grant includes airfare from St Helena to Cape Town, up to three nights’ accommodation before departure, and full participation on board Wavysail’s yacht Aurora during the return trip.
No previous sailing experience is required; training and safety equipment are provided by Wavysail’s experienced crew.
Andrew Cowen, Co-founder of Wavysail stated:
“We established Wavysail to promote inclusive and sustainable ocean adventures, led by the world’s top skippers. Our very first destination was St Helena, so our yacht, Aurora, is already a familiar sight to many on the island. We are proud to continue offering opportunities for people to experience everything St Helena has to offer.”
Applicants must be at least 18 years old at departure and either live on St Helena or maintain strong personal ties there. Applications close on August 31st 2025; details can be found at www.wavysail.com/OpenOceans or via email at [email protected].
Wavysail is based in the UK and offers tailored sailing experiences focused on sustainability and inclusivity across various destinations worldwide.