Julian Megson Sailing

I’m really starting to feel excited about the new sailing season.  I have my sail from The Azores to Portsmouth to look forward to in May.  I can hardly believe I’m going to be crewing a boat halfway across the Atlantic!

I now have a launch date for my new boat (old boat but new to me). I’m really looking forward to finding out how well she sails.  There is still lots to do before she is ship-shape and time is a bit tight, but she’s coming together nicely.

In 2009 I also have new cruising grounds to look forward to.  My previous boat, which I shared with a friend, was moored at Whitby.  This was great because you could sail out of the harbour at any state of tide.  But in my opinion the scope for cruising was limited.  If you want to sail offshore from Whitby your options are more or less limited to Norway, which is fine if you have lots of time on your hands.

My new boat will be moored on the west coast of England.  The marina is a little bit more restricted than at Whitby.  You can only pass in and out at certain times based upon high water.  But in my view the scope for sailing is much better.  From my marina I can sail to Ireland, Wales, the Scottish Islands and the Isle of Man.  So much choice!

Knowing my humble background, if three years ago you would have told me I would soon have my own boat and be sailing half way accross the Atlantic I would never have believed it.

Welcome to my Blog.

This is the beginning of a journey for me.  My aim is to make a single handed voyage in a sail boat across the Atlantic Ocean.  This would push most able bodied people to their limits, let alone someone with a physical disability like mine.  I have a condition known as Spina-Bifida, a spinal defect from birth. However, I am really fortunate because I am able to sail a yacht and do so single handed.

Sailing the Atlantic for me will be a first and I intend to make the whole experience from start to finish a really special time of my life.  It’s a challenge which I would never have thought possible.  But that is what life is all about, living life to the full, pushing through boundaries, acheiving great things and inspiring others to make the most of their potential.

I’m not out to change the world, I shall leave that to far more capable people than I.  But should I succeed I hope that in my small way that I might be able to inspire and motivate others to do something far beyond what they thought themselves capable of.  Everyone has a fire in their belly, a desire to do something fantastic with their lives, but it is up to us to fuel that fire and do something about it.  Something which I aim to do from this moment on.  Obstacles are to be expected, but obstacles are there to be overcome and other doors will open.

I can honestly say that already I am having the time of my life.  I’m a disabled working class bloke from Bradford, I live just about as far from the sea as its possible to be.  Yet every other weekend I’m sailing the open sea, with its ever changing moods.  It really is the most beautiful thing.

I hope you enjoy my blog and follow me as I take my journey from landlubber to ocean yachtsman. I welcome all your comments.

Cheers, Julian

Update: I am now seeking sponsors to help me achieve my dream which is to sail the Atlantic Ocean single handed. I will be working hard to achieve this and any news of this project will be posted on this website. If you are a potential sponsor and you wish to invest in me or you want to discuss opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me.