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Oceans of Hope Challenge NZ 2021 - Duncan Grant

  • Home from the sea!

      9 April 2021
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    Steinlager 2 set sail this morning from Kawau Island via the Tiritiri Matangi channel, on a downwind reach in a 15-20 knot nor-easter, after a final swim and a good breakfast.

    The strong winds meant good sailing for the final leg home, and Duncs loved the opportunity to take the helm in these conditions. Coming up the harbour, the crew dropped anchor near the Chelsea Sugar Factory for a quick lunch before finally arriving at the Viaduct for a full boat clear-out and clean up.

    Highs? Being at the Barrier for the first time ever, taking the helm and racing the (Year 10 Kings boys!) on Lion as they went past. And most of all being able to be with others with MS who understand your symptoms and situation, can share their experience and advice, and who you never have to explain yourself to.

    Overall, an incredible experience and once again, Duncan is so grateful for your support to help him meet this Challenge.

    I am sure he will be in touch with you all over the next while - thank you for reading these updates!

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  • Great Barrier to Kawau Island

      8 April 2021
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    A bit of an update from Weds night from the Oceans of Hope Instagram first of all (this is of yesterday / Wednesday's activities):

    Day 3 aboard Steinlager 2, we left the shelter of Port Fitzroy Harbour and ventured out for a Great Barrier tiki tour. We hoisted sails in a cool southerly breeze and the crew set themselves up on the rail like a proper race team. The grinders worked hard as we threw a lot of tacks in and even a gybe before we headed east up to Katherine Bay, where we dropped anchor for lunch.

    With no hesitation most of the group leapt back into the water for a swim while the others went ashore and gathered beach treasure [note from the editor: assume this was Duncs first in the water]. Anchored up in Nagle Cove for the evening, we settled in to watch Sir Peter Blake’s documentary, pinching ourselves that we were actually sitting on the very maxi yacht that Peter and his team raced around the world.

    And a further update from today (Thursday): the day started with no wind and calm seas, so a cruise under engines past Little Barrier toward Kawau Island, then with a breeze coming up in the afternoon, sails were hoisted for a good reach over to Mansion House Bay, where Steinlager 2 anchored and some of the crew went ashore to look at Mansion House and the island.

    They are spending their final evening anchored at Kawau, with a stronger northerly looking like as if it will fill in tomorrow for the return leg to the Viaduct Harbour. The team has been very lucky with the week's weather, given the front due to arrive Saturday.

    Some great pics of below decks on Steinlager 2 posted in the photo gallery: sleeping quarters and the galley.

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  • A day on Great Barrier

      7 April 2021
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    Steinlager 2 and her crew spent the day around Great Barrier today - a beautiful day and lots of sailing. A couple of new photos in the gallery. Most are not keen swimmers but Duncs has been in swimming morning & evening.

    Tomorrow they head to Kawau Island for Thursday night then back to the Viaduct for a scheduled 3pm arrival Friday afternoon.

    Apparently the red bed slings are quite comfortable? And the food is delicious, the sailing great and the team all excellent.

    On board there are 3 "able bodied" crew from the NZ Sailing Trust, which operates Lion and Steinlager 2 as training boats for youth, schools, community groups and corporates.

    Hopefully we will hear tomorrow night for the final full day of the voyage.

    Duncs is so grateful for all your support in enabling him to go on this journey.

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  • Day Two - Waiheke to Great Barrier

      6 April 2021
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    Steinlager 2 set off for Barrier this morning & will be out there til Thursday. No coverage so no direct Duncs updates today but some from the Oceans of Hope social media pages.

    Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/oceansofhopechallenge/

    And on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Oceans-Of-Hope-Challenge-1924459401207305

    Here's the full update from the Oceans of Hope Insta page for day two at sea:

    There were many highs for day 2 including lots of dolphins and a whale🐋 There were no lows, only challenges. Some of those challenges being as simple as launching yourself off the boat and into the water and even more so, climbing back up the ladder. Sometimes just being around people the same as you is all you need to give you that wee push. After breakfast and a swim Steinlager 2 hoisted her big downwind gennaker and set a course for Great Barrier island. It was all hands on deck and we completed our first gybe of the gennaker as we passed little Barrier, followed by a textbook drop. Seeing the teamwork and confidence in this group grow has been nothing short of amazing. After sailing almost 35 nautical miles we were greeted by the steep craggy cliffs of Great Barrier island. Sipping cups of tea we glided through the man of war passage and into Port Fitzroy harbour where we dropped anchor. What better way to wrap up the evening, than with burgers ashore at Smokehouse bay and sharing moments with new friends around the campfire.

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    • 07/04/2021 by Rosie Piper

      Smokehouse Bay is one of our favourites. Enjoy the Barrier all! It has some amazing spots to swim and enjoy the view

  • Setting sail

      5 April 2021
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    Today Duncs arrived at Steinlager 2 at the Viaduct Harbour at 9am with the 22 others who will be on board for the next five days. There are (I think) 3 able bodied sailors plus 20 with various stages of MS. Duncs will be one of the more physically able, and particularly given there is not a lot of walking required on board he should go well.

    He met up with the others on Sunday night for a pre-adventure dinner, and said that his fellow sailors come from all over New Zealand, a few from Christchurch, Tauranga, Taupo and quite a few Aucklanders. Normally they would be joined by people from Aus as well - but not with the current border closures. A few had been on Steinlager for a similar adventure previously.

    The bunks are shown in the gallery images - red slings - stacked 3 up. The boat is still set as it was for ocean racing so very minimal space and comfort. Smooth seas might be best?

    By midday they were rigged up and heading off, overnighting tonight at Sandy Bay on Waiheke. Not sure where to tomorrow but will update when I hear more.

    Here's hoping for a nice calm night at anchor in Sandy Bay :)

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  • Two weeks to go until I set sail

      19 March 2021
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    Time has passed very quickly since I set up this page, and I've just realised it's only two weeks until my Oceans of Hope adventure begins on Steinlager Two.

    It's been a busy start to the year, with two lock downs, a school camp at Tongariro, some swim races, and medical appointments in between. Between work, medical and family commitments, I haven’t had to much of a chance to think about my trip until now.

    The America's Cup racing, held here in Auckland, definitely got me thinking about my adventure to come. Especially when we saw Steinlager Two heading out in the spectator fleet.

    I know we won't be sailing quite as fast as those boats (thank goodness) but will be out on the water for five days and nights which will definitely be a challenge, even if only in the sleeping compartment.

    My packing will begin this weekend to make sure I have all the right gear. Pretty sure I have all the necessaries, and also need to remember to pack light. The boat is a former racing yacht, so the sleeping and living quarters are compact to say the least.

    I'm really looking forward to meeting like-minded active people who are making the best of their lives living with this chronic condition of Multiple Sclerosis.

    I will keep you all updated of my adventures while I'm at sea (will be asking my on-shore PR team to update this page with pics etc).

    My voyage could not have happened without all of your generous donations. I am so grateful for each of your contributions, and your support of me.

    Here's a pic of me finishing the Bean Rock Lighthouse Swim - exactly where we will be sailing past in two weeks' time. Completing this race was another mental milestone for me in the ongoing MS journey. Ngā mihi nui, thank you all again, Duncan

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    • 22/03/2021 by Alma

      Lovely to hear from you, Duncan. Congratulations on everything you have achieved so far and all the best for your big Sailing Adventure. I look forward to getting an update either from you or your Mum and Dad.

      Kindest regards and best wishes,

      Alma and the Herbert Family.