‘We can do more than we think we can. We just have to dare to dream.’
Dee Caffari

Yachtswoman Dee Caffari has sailed into the record books – three times.  In 2006, Dee became the first woman in history to circumnavigate the world solo ‘the wrong way’ (against the prevailing winds and currents).  Dee became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions after completing one of the most dramatic Vendée Globes ever known (2008/09) – it is not called ‘The Everest of the Seas’ for nothing.  On completing the Barcelona World Race in 2011, Dee became the only woman on earth to have sailed non-stop around the world three times.  A former teacher Dee is an inspirational yachtswoman of the highest calibre and many are amazed to learn that she only began her sailing career in 2000. Key themes include: Resilience & courage in tough times; Passion & self-belief to succeed; Good communication & teamwork; Embracing change & challenge; High Performance: an insight into what it takes to achieve 3 world-firsts (under pressure, lack of sleep and in the Southern Ocean – one of the most hostile places on the planet!)

Without doubt one of the world’s most inspirational women, Dee Caffari delivers memorable presentations to inspire and motivate.  Dee’s sense of fun ensures that her presentations are entertaining but her messages have all been hard-won on gruelling solo voyages and leading teams in highly competitive or hostile conditions.  Dee’s themes include resilience, staying motivated, high performance, effective teamwork and breaking down barriers to achieve world-class goals.

Dee’s presentations include dramatic film footage and images from her voyages that engage audiences no matter what their background. 

British Yachtswoman Dee Caffari has sailed into the history books.  In May 2006, Dee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world solo ‘the wrong way’ (against the prevailing winds and currents).  It is an extraordinary achievement and took six months.  Only four men have ever managed to finish this gruelling route before: more people have walked on the moon.  In recognition of her first world record, Dee was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Not one to stay in her comfort zone, Dee focused on a new world record just months after her first solo circumnavigation.  Dee wanted to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions.  In order to do this Dee entered the highly competitive world of Open 60 racing.   Dee faced a daunting task.  She aimed to compete against the best international sailors in a race held every four years ‘the right way’ around the world.  After one of the most dramatic Vendée Globes ever known (2008/09), Dee finished a triumphant sixth on the 16 February 2009 and claimed a double world-first. 

On completing the Barcelona World Race in April 2011 with her co-ckipper Anna Corbella, Dee became the only woman on earth to have sailed non-stop around the world three times.  Dee has proven herself to be a yachtswoman of the highest calibre and many are amazed to learn that Dee is a former teacher and she only began her sailing career in 2000.

Dee’s courage, determination and motivation to complete each voyage has inspired many.  Dee knows the importance of having self-belief, facing your fears, being motivated when times are tough, staying focused, coping with set-backs and remaining positive as conditions inevitably change. 

Dee fully appreciates the importance of her team who are so vital in preparing the boat as well as helping her achieve high performance and ultimately, success.  Dee has also lead teams to success on the water too.  On her return from the Vendée Globe in 2009, Dee decided it was time to challenge a record a little closer to home: the Round Britain and Ireland monhull speed record.  Onboard her Open 60, Dee lead an all-woman crew to attempt the record.  Dee knows that in sport as well as business, having the right team is vital to success.  On 22 June 2009, sailing 1800 miles around Britain and Ireland, the girls crossed the finish line to complete the course in 6 days 11 hours.  Prior to Dee’s solo circumnavigations, Dee was the only female skipper in the Global Challenge Yacht Race (2004/5) leading a team of amateurs around the world ‘the wrong way’.

Dee has learnt how to stay motivated in very challenging and competitive conditions.  Setting her first world record, Dee faced the worst that the Southern Ocean could muster and had to negotiate icebergs, storms, sleep deprivation and prolonged isolation.  The second challenge, the Vendée Globe is widely known as ‘the Everest of the Seas’ and the ‘Olympics’ of offshore racing: it is a war of attrition with many boats failing to complete the race.  Nursing a damaged mainsail and passing through hurricane-strength storms to reach the finish line, Dee has shown skilled seamanship, tremendous courage, initiative and competitive spirit: she has proved that she can be fast as well as tough.

Dee now has her sights set firmly on the Vendee Globe 2012 and is currently looking for sponsorship.

Dee’s background

Dee was born in Hertfordshire in 1973 and now lives in Southampton.  Dee trained and worked as a PE teacher for several years before moving on to manage a Sports College. It was when Dee saw the start of the 2000/01 BT Global Challenge Race that she began to focus on where she wanted to be in four years time. Dee made the tough decision to join the marine industry and her life changed dramatically when she dared to follow her dream and her love of the sea and become a skipper. With her sailing qualifications completed, through sheer determination, Dee began working in her new career, rapidly building her experience and reputation.  A job as a skipper in Formula 1 Sailing led to an opportunity to manage the fleet in the UK and the Caribbean, giving Dee important experience in racing and increased confidence in her seamanship.

In no less than five years, Dee had proven her skills and talents.  Her gregarious, engaging character and her ability to bring out the best in others became apparent when she was selected to lead a team of amateurs in the tough Global Challenge Yacht Race in 2004/5.  The only woman skipper in the race, Dee inspired her crew by handling the demanding and often frightening conditions of the Southern Ocean: during this leg of the race, Dee oversaw the largest ocean rescue in that area when one of her crew-members had to be airlifted off the yacht.  Dee’s leadership skills saved his life.  Dee won a coveted BP Safety Prize as well as a Media Prize for her ability to communicate her experiences with refreshing candour, passion, humour and clarity.

It was while she was leading her crew during this race, and encouraged by Sir Chay Blyth’s belief in her, Dee’s desire to achieve one of the few genuine world ‘firsts’ began to develop.  Having lead a team of 18 around the world, just four months later, she set out to achieve a world first in the same 72 foot yacht that was now adapted for a solo sailor.  As the first ever woman to complete solo circumnavigations in both directions, Dee is now highly respected as one of the top offshore sailors in the world.

With a passion for sport and exercise, Dee is an Ambassador for Active Southampton promoting 30 minutes of exercise a day.  Her keen interest in health and life-balance stems from her roots as a secondary school PE teacher.  Dee continues to have links with Leeds Metropolitan University’s Sports Science Department and has a keen interest in the science and psychology behind high performance.  A strong desire to face and overcome challenges has led Dee into adventures outside the sailing environment too.  One such challenge was leading a female team over 6500km of rugged terrain in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge.  The focus was to raise money for cancer charities and Dee has since become the Patron for the charity Sail4Cancer.  A love of the ocean and the British coastline has seen Dee become an Ambassador for the RYA Green Blue Campaign to help everyone reduce, re-use and recycle.

Among a variety of awards, Dee received the prestigious Raymarine Yachtsman of the Year Award and the Royal Variety Award for Sporting Courage in 2007.  She was the winner of the BBC South Yachtswoman of the Year and has received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University. In recognition of her service to the sea and Britain's maritime heritage, Dee was appointed by the Royal Navy as an Honorary Commander in 2011.  Dee was shortlisted for the ISFA Global Sailor of the Year Award in 2011.

Dee’s story has featured in the media across the world.  Dee’s experiences of coping with sleep deprivation featured in BBC One’s ’10 Things You Need to Know about Sleep’ in 2009 and a Channel 4 documentary on the Vendee Globe.  Her autobiography ‘Against the Flow: The inspiring story of a teacher turned record-making Yachtswoman’ is available in English, French, German and Italian.

Available for: After Dinner Events: Conference Keynote Talks; Awards Ceremonies: Sales Events: Business Talks; Sporting Dinners.

‘Dee is a natural presenter and what comes over so strongly is her enthusiasm, excitement and her ability to articulate her story so well and to engage with an audience. No arrogance, a good sense of humour and great style.’
Nationwide

‘Dee’s presentation is so relevant to today’s business environment. A fantastic lady! A very down-to-earth pragmatic person who has overcome a huge personal challenge to achieve the impossible: her passion is tangible. The Q&A session was particularly good as what she learnt really came to life.’
Royal Bank of Scotland

‘I have to say - Dee was TOTALLY brilliant. She gave an engaging and inspirational talk followed by lots of questions and answers. Our feedback forms rated Dee VERY highly indeed, in fact several of the delegates who presented on the following day made several references to Dee’s “wonderful talk”. I’m VERY happy - thanks a million.’
Allen Carr Easyway

‘Dee has a very professional, motivating yet ‘friendly’ approach. A good mix of video, live performance and visual slides: the Q&A session was excellent!’
Business Link

‘Dee’s presentation resonated strongly as she gave the highs and lows of her story the emotional journey. There were strong parallels with the business world that I could relate to how I can overcome challenges, for example. Her personality is warm, open, honest. The video was very powerful.’
John Lewis

‘It is great to be one of the first to hear from this inspirational woman. The power of positive thinking!’
National Audit Office

‘Everyone faces challenges and Dee’s experiences can lift us and encourage us to face life with more courage.’
The Company Coach

‘The aspects of Dee’s presentation that resonated most strongly for me - her goal-setting approach and giving herself rewards for achievements. A really interesting speaker.’
Barclays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrMSEA_Eeg