If you know me, you know that I’ve been sailing since I was a kid, starting on little boats on little lakes. Moving to St. Maarten in 1999, everything changed. The ocean opened up for me. The horizon got bigger. Offshore racing became not just a sport, but a calling. The challenge, the solitude, the teamwork, the vastness — it’s where I feel the most myself. There have been countless moments out there that feel like clarity, purpose, and home all at once.

This opportunity came together fast. Canadian skipper Melodie Schaffer, 2nd time Globe 40 Racer and Canadian Rolex Woman Sailor of the Year 2023, unexpectedly needs a co-skipper for Leg 3 of the Globe 40 Race, racing from Réunion Island to Sydney. It’s roughly 6,000 miles across one of the most remote stretches of ocean on Earth. When the call came, there was no hesitation. This is the kind of chance you don’t say no to.

Melodie has already completed a full circumnavigation in the previous Globe 40 race. She’s a wealth of knowledge, resilience, and experience — and someone I’ve admired as I work toward building my own around-the-world racing campaign in the years ahead. To sail alongside her, to learn, contribute, and push together, is something I am genuinely grateful for.

The challenges on this leg are real. The weather is intense. The sea state is heavy. We’ll be making constant decisions on how hard to push while protecting the boat for the long miles ahead. But honestly, the hardest part right now is the time and financial crunch of preparing on short notice — getting the required safety certifications, medical exams, personal offshore gear, and the travel needed to even reach the starting point.

What the Funds Will Support

Travel (California → UK for certifications → France → Réunion → return from Sydney): $4,000

Required training & medical certifications: $1,500

Personal offshore safety & survival gear: $4,000

Total Goal: $10,000

This isn’t charity — this is joining the journey.

What You’ll Experience if You Support

If you contribute, you’re not just helping me get to the starting line — you’re coming with me.

There will be:

You’ll be warm and dry at home, but you’ll know there’s a piece of you out there with us — surfing 40-foot rollers, trading watches under southern stars, pushing through exhaustion, and finding those moments of pure clarity that only exist far offshore.

This isn’t the end goal — this is a step toward a bigger dream:

Developing my own offshore racing program to eventually take on a full around-the-world race under my own campaign and my own flag. This is training, apprenticeship, proving ground, and story-building all at once.

If this resonates — if adventure, courage, and going after something big means something to you — I’d be honoured to have your support.

Thank you for helping me make this adventure possible.

Let’s go do something unforgettable.

Colin Campbell

Co-Skipper – Whiskey Jack, Globe 40 – Leg 3

Réunion → Sydney ⛵️