Award-Winning Oceans of Hope Challenge Returns to Croatia

Oceans of Hope

The award-winning ‘Oceans of Hope Challenge’ are delighted to announce that their cruise, created for people living with MS, is returning to Croatia in May 2018.

Sailing experience not required – just a spirit of adventure.

Robert Munns, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis himself, created the Oceans of Hope Challenge to give people the same life-affirming experience he gained when sailing with the organisation Sailing Sclerosis, on ‪board a yacht, appropriately named ‘Oceans of Hope’, across the Pacific Ocean and English Channel.

In the ambitious challenge, Robert will be leading a flotilla of 10 fully equipped charter yachts. They will spend the week exploring the islands of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.

The voyage will include exploring the beautiful islands of Solta, Hvar, Vis and Lastovo as well as some picturesque historic towns from 12 – 19 May 2018.

Vis (Photo credit: Zoran Jelača / Source: CNTB)

The week-long adventure will give participants the opportunity to challenge themselves and make the impossible possible, as they work together for a common goal.

Every crew member will have a valuable part to play. As well as contributing to an enjoyable life at sea onboard the charter yachts, each person will have the chance to take command of the ship, and their lives.

Each day of the challenge there will be a few hours of sailing as the flotilla of yachts explore the Croatian Coast and then the crew will anchor in a scenic cove or marina to enjoy the sun, sea and company.

Robert created the Oceans of Hope Challenge in 2015 and since then has shared the experience with over 100 adults affected by Multiple Sclerosis in 6 different challenges.

Solta

Adventures in Scotland and New Zealand are also taking place in June 2018 and November 2018 respectively.

Founder of Sailing Sclerosis and Oceans of Hope, the Danish doctor and skipper, Mikkel Anthonisen, says about the new adventure in New Zealand: “It´s fantastic that we are now coming back to New Zealand where we made so many friends during our visit on the circumnavigation – this time with the Oceans of Hope Challenge concept that has already proved an immense success in Europe. Continuing to create life-changing possibilities for people living with MS to get out into the world and into life.”

Lastovo (Photo: Goran Safarek)

In September 2017 the challenge was acknowledged by The Sailing Today Awards, winning ‘Best Cruise’ and even beating Dame Ellen McArthur’s Round Britain to the title.

On the success of the Oceans of Hope Challenge, Robert Munns said: “I am amazed how the Oceans of Hope Challenge is developing, along with it’s potential to bring an element of hope to so many lives. It is my honour and privilege to be responsible for making sure that it is supported, and it continues in the spirit it was conceived”.
Ingrid Robertson, a former challenge participant said “As someone who has taken part in the challenge myself, I know first-hand how life changing it can be and what a difference it makes to people affected by MS.”

Oceans of Hope

Training courses will also be available in May and September 2018 for those wishing to prepare and gain sailing experience.

If you would like to apply to take part or know someone who would benefit from the Oceans of Hope Challenge, then please get in touch at [email protected]

More details on the website here.