Hi, I’m Penny — a professional sailor based in Canada, and the founder of Sail Nelson, a sailing school I built from the ground up. Life on the water isn’t just my career, it’s how I connect with the world. I’m also a wife, a mom, a mentor, and someone who deeply believes in empowering others—especially women—to step outside their comfort zones and into something bigger.

That’s why being selected for eXXpedition Antarctica means so much to me.

Out of thousands of applicants, I’ve been chosen to join an all-women crew sailing from Puerto Williams, Chile to Antarctica on a 22-day scientific research mission focused on microplastics in our oceans. This isn’t just another sailing trip—it’s a rare opportunity to combine my lifelong experience at sea with meaningful environmental work alongside scientists, storytellers, and changemakers from around the world.

eXXpedition is a UK-based non-profit that has spent over 13 years leading all-women sailing voyages dedicated to ocean research and raising awareness about plastic pollution. Their work is about more than data—it’s about connection, education, and inspiring real change. Being part of this mission allows me to contribute to something much larger than myself, and to bring that knowledge back to my community and the people I teach.

This journey will take us over 2,300 nautical miles across the open ocean, including crossing the infamous Drake Passage—where the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans meet. It’s one of the most challenging and unpredictable stretches of water in the world. I’ll be setting sail on November 28, 2026.

Participation in eXXpedition is entirely self-funded, which is why I’m asking for your support. The total cost of joining the voyage is approximately $40,000—this includes $33,000 for my place on the ship (covering essentials like food, safety, and insurance), then $7,000 to cover additional travel, international medical insurance and accommodation expenses before and after the expedition. Your contribution will directly help make this journey possible and support the vital research being done on ocean plastics.

For me, this is about more than one eXXpedition. It’s about representing women in sailing, advancing ocean conservation, and bringing these stories and lessons home—to my students, my children, and my community.

I’ll be sharing the journey (as connectivity allows) on LinkedIn, Instagram (@sailnelsonbc), Facebook, and Patreon so you can follow along every step of the way.

If you’re able to donate, share, or simply cheer me on—thank you. It truly means more than you know.

— Penny

*** I am also looking for corporate partners and have more information on my website: https://sailnelson.com/support-pennys-exxpedition-to-antarctica/

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.