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

British Yachtswoman Dee Caffari has sailed into the record books - twice. On 18 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. 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.

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


British Yachtswoman Dee Caffari has sailed into the record books - twice. On 18 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. 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 launched a campaign for a new world record just months after her first solo circumnavigation. Dee announced that she 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 and her yacht ‘Aviva’ finished a triumphant sixth on the 16 February 2009 and claimed a double world-first. Dee has proven herself to be a yachtswoman of the highest calibre and many are amazed to learn that she only began her sailing career in 2000.

Dee’s courage, determination and motivation to complete both voyages alone have 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 the team behind the scenes (on the shore) who are so vital in preparing the boat, as well as helping her achieve high performance and ultimately, success.

The first voyage took nearly six months: the second, 99 days. During the first challenge, Dee faced the worst that the Southern Ocean could muster and had to negotiate icebergs, storms and on a personal level, sleep deprivation and prolonged isolation. The second challenge, the Vendée Globe is widely known (for good reason) as ‘the Everest of the Seas’ and the ‘Olympics’ of offshore racing. Nursing a damaged mainsail and passing through hurricane-strength storms, Dee has shown skilled seamanship, tremendous courage, initiative and competitive spirit: she has proved that she can be fast as well as tough.

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. 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.

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. 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, Dee worked hard on her return to win the sponsorship necessary to follow her dream: 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.

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. 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.

Without doubt, one of Britain’s most inspirational women, Dee tells her dramatic and inspirational story with great grace, humour and insight. Her sense of fun and positive world-view ensure her presentations are entertaining and her messages about self-belief, motivation, building confidence, leadership, teamwork and over-coming your self-limitations are memorable. Dee’s presentations include dramatic film footage and photographs from her round the world voyages.


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