Inspiring interview: Dee Caffari is a British yachtswoman who has a serious track record of success!

Trekity: Daily Travel Ideas for Women recently interviewed Rising Tide Leadership Institute Ambassador, Dee Caffari regarding her experience as a woman sailor:

Vendee-Globe-Finish-2009

Her journey’s were long and arduous, but Dee “never wanted to give up or stop.”

Here’s the story:
• In 2006, Dee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world “the wrong way” against winds and currents. Only four men had successfully done so before her.
• In 2009, Dee successfully completed the Vendée Globe – a non-stop and solo sailing race around the world – coming in 6th out of 30 starters.
• In 2011, Dee sailed the Barcelona World Race with a co-skipper, earning her the title as the only woman to have sailed around the world three times, non-stop!

 

How has sailing changed you?
My sailing has taught me a great deal about myself and how I react to things. I am now much more organized and I prioritize more. I have learnt to only concern myself with things I can do something about and not waste excess energy on things I can not influence.

Do you have any upcoming trips? If so, where to?
I have just returned from Oman where I was skipper and advisor for the Oman Women’s Sailing Program with the Rising Tide Leadership Institute. I plan on doing much more sailing and am currently putting together a campaign that I hope will have me racing around the world again.

Any other thoughts or advice for our women readers?

“It is important to remember you can all do more than you think you can, you just have to dare to dream!” -Dee Caffari

Oman-Sail-Womens-Programme-2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to read more…

Watch how Katie, RTLI and the progressive Sultan of Oman create leadership opportunities for women…

This morning I drove to my friend Kerry’s house to watch Katie, Raya and RTLI on The Jeff Probst Show! Near the end of the interview I was struck by a powerful, important statement Jeff made. When summing up Katie’s amazing life trajectory he remarked, “You are a hero! Katie, you said to yourself, ‘There’s not a path here, but I think I found one,’ and then you said, ‘Come on guys (gals!) – Let’s all go in’!”

That’s a very concise summation of the Rising Tide Leadership Institute.

As we build Rising Tide we will be able to inspire, engage, educate and equip thousands of women like Raya, and her Omani teammates, and HUNDREDS of thousands like the studio audience and viewership of the Jeff Probst Show. There is no lasting impact in Trail Blazing – unless you have opened up the path for many others to follow.

We invite you ALL to come on this Trail Blazing journey of equipping girls and women to be leaders who make a difference in their communities, countries and throughout the world. You can start by sharing this show segment with others!

A very special thank you to Amy Coleman, Executive Producer, and the entire team at The Jeff Probst Show, for helping us inspire women to lead lives of great impact.

Katie on JP - Kerry's

It was amazing to watch Katie tell the RTLI story today on daytime TV, at my friend Kerry’s house, in Leland Michigan! (Jeff Probst locates Oman on a map.)

Watch Katie on The Jeff Probst Show, Monday, April 22

Women Breaking Down Barriers
“Jeff Probst meets three fearless and inspiring females who are breaking down barriers and changing the world. Jeff speaks with professional sailor Katie Pettibone, who is now creating an all-female sailing team out of the Middle Eastern country of Oman. Then, Jeff meets Ronda Rousey, the first and only female UFC fighting champion. And later, young conservationist Ocean Ramsey joins Jeff to speak about the viral video of her swimming with a Great White Shark that inspired her to start a campaign to prove that sharks are not aggressive and completely misunderstood.”

We are thrilled for Katie, and excited to introduce thousands of viewers to the Rising Tide Leadership Institute via The Jeff Probst Show! Watch a 30 second clip of Monday’s show – now. At the end of this clip, individual interview clips will appear – click on the ‘Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Sport’ video to watch Katie’s 9:50 min. segment. 

For your local daytime TV listing – click here.

Katie on Jeff Probst Show

 

Katie and RTLI on the Jeff Probst Show!

Last Wednesday Rising Tide Leadership Institute co-founder Katie Pettibone taped an appearance on the Jeff Probst Show. Through this show Katie will be able to reach thousands with RTLI’s message. Way to go Katie!

Watch Katie on the Jeff Probst Show on Monday, April 22. Check your local daytime TV listing.

Katie with Jeff Probst

Katie with show host Jeff Probst. He is know to millions as the Host of ‘Survivor.’

“It was hard and COLD!”

Congratulations to the Oman Women’s Sailing Team in their recent regatta in France…

Omani Women's Sail Team in France

The Oman Woman’s Sailing Team races in COLD France after SATT 2013.

The world-renowned Spi Ouest Regatta, a five-day event running from March 28 – April 1, with between 130 and 150 boats on the start line – featuring some of the world’s best yachtsmen and women – was a great learning experience for the Oman Women’s Sailing Team, led by Liz Rushall… and quite a contrast to their warm home waters in Oman.

“Every day, we’ve had sub-zero temperatures, and they have had to clear the ice off the decks, rig and tune the boat, and pack up at the end of some long, bitterly cold days. They were competing against 110 other boats, and it was the biggest fleet they had ever seen, so their hearts were racing at the start line and at mark roundings. This has been a fantastic training opportunity while we work towards the J80 Worlds in Marseilles in July,” shared coach Niall Myant.

Click to read more in the Times of Oman article regarding this exciting, first-time, international sailing experience for these brave Omani women! Congratulations Raya, Intesar, Raaja, Tahira, Ibtisam, Asrar & Liz. Great job!

Feature photo by Marc Ollivier, France 2013

Oman Sail Women’s Team makes French debut!

Oman Women's Team 2013Rising Tide Leadership Institute wishes the Oman Sail Women’s Team smooth sailing as they compete in the world-renowned Spi Ouest Regatta, a five-day event running from March 28 – April 1, with between 130 and 150 boats on the start line – featuring some of the worlds best yachtsmen and women. Click below and scroll down to read three brief articles regarding these amazing young Omani women, and their enthusiasm to meet the challenge in France… Go girls!

A global dialogue is taking shape: How to create opportunity for women?

WHY must we create opportunity for women?

40 years of global data shouts loudly – when we lift up women, communities are healthier, businesses are more successful and the world is more prosperous.
Over the past few months the US and international news media have shared many stories covering the full spectrum of the global opportunities dialogue concerning women.

Half The Sky bookThe Half the Sky movement (book, PBS documentary and website – 2009) has helped to raise global consciousness on the brutal oppression of women in the world, while also seeking to create opportunity for these women. Half the Sky shines a global spotlight on the issues through inspiring stories about extraordinary women, and that the most effective way to fight global poverty is to unleash the potential of women.

Girl Rising posterLast week’s Premiere of Girl Rising a social action movie campaign shouts the anthem – One Girl at a Time – declaring I AM CHANGE! Their message is that educating girls in developing countries will change the world, presented through the stories of nine girls from nine countries. Their stories illustrate triumph over adversity, and the strength of human spirit.

 
Lean In bookAnd this week – with the release of Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, a national dialogue has entered the front pages of our newspapers and digital space as she encourages women to Lean In to leadership opportunities. This has opened a national debate as to ‘What is holding women back?’

The answer to ‘How to create opportunity for women?’
is vastly different (though not mutually exclusive) with each of the above movements:

  • For the girls and women living in the level of tragic oppression high-lighted by Half the Sky, reasons that hold women back include:
    – the international trade of human trafficking
    – millennium of oppression
    – devaluing women to the status of mere ‘property’
    – patriarchal power structures dependent upon keeping women subservient and subjugated
  • As Girl Rising addresses, girls and women living without basic rights and opportunities and the lack of educating girls, holds back not only women, but entire societies.
  • And for working women in developed countries, Sheryl Sandberg challenges in Lean In, that women are often their own barrier by not stepping up to the leadership opportunities presented to them.

All three of these ‘answers’ are critical. They each play out in different socio economic development areas of the world, and they are often progressive.

Leadership matters:
A global emphasis on ‘leadership development’ is essential. Influencing leaders to effect the changes necessary to create and sustain opportunities for women, AND developing women leaders are essential to this equation.

SATT 2013Rising Tide Leadership Institute:
The Rising Tide Leadership Institute’s mission includes raising awareness, and inspiring girls and women to step into greater spheres of opportunity… whether it be education, career or other leadership roles. We create opportunities and educational resources for girls and women to experience leadership development in competitive environments. We educate girls and women with tools and process for personal and organizational leadership success. This is our niche in the critical and extraordinary global movement of lifting up women in the world.

Because…
when Women Win,
the World Wins.

 

We invite you to explore our website, to educate yourself by reading or viewing Half the Sky, visit the Girl Rising website and watch the film, read Lean In, and support the development of women around the world!

Photo by Lloyd Images

Don’t miss ‘Girl Rising’ – a revolution!

Girl Rising – created by 10×10, is a groundbreaking feature film and a social action campaign, that uses the power of storytelling and the leverage of strategic partnerships to deliver a single message: educating girls in developing nations will change the world. The film tells the stories of nine extraordinary girls from nine different countries. Each girl’s story was written by a celebrated writer from her native country, and narrated by nine renowned actresses. Despite tremendous obstacles, these brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By getting an education, they’re able to break barriers and create change. The film premiers on March 7… click here for a theatre near you.

Girl Rising emphasizes the importance of Rising Tide Leadership Institute’s mission to develop women leaders by creating inspiration and opportunity for girls and women to discover their best selves, and their full leadership potential. Raya Al Habsi experienced this in both the 2012 and 2013 Sailing Arabia The Tour, with RTLI Ambassador’s Katie Pettibone and Dee Caffari. Raya was interviewed after SATT 2012 by the Dubai Health and Fitness Magazine (click and scroll down to read article), where she declared…

Raya Al Habsi on bow, SATT 2013

Raya Al Habsi on bow, SATT 2013

“Women are not weak – we are strong – and we can do anything we set our minds to!”

One girl at a time.

A real inspiration…

Congratulations Al-Thuraya Bank Muscat Women’s Team!

Rising Tide Leadership Institute Ambassadors Katie Pettibone and Dee Caffari finished up the EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour 2013 earlier this week. This is the second year that Katie and Dee (British skipper) joined the Oman Sail Women’s Sailing Team to coach the Omani women. The Oman Sail program was launched in 2011 as part of an Omani national effort to celebrate the countries rich maritime history, and empower women in the world of sport. The sailing program puts a large emphasis on family support, encouraging parents to inspire their young daughters to pursue a sporting skill such as sailing, giving them the confidence to learn and compete in these exciting regional events. This year six Omani women aged between 21 and 28, with four on the boat at all times, comprised 50% of the Al-Thuraya Bank Muscat all-female crew. Two of these Omani women also competed in last year’s SATT race.

Close-up in-port racing“These young women are a real inspiration to others in the region,” said RTLI Ambassador Dee Caffari. “In the near future, all-female crews from the Middle East competing in these events will be commonplace, and there is no reason why these girls shouldn’t go on to compete in races around the world. That will take time, but success is definitely within their grasp.”

The all women team ranked 7 out of 9 professional, international teams. RTLI Ambassador Katie Pettibone shared, “The final position of the team does not reflect the amazing leaps and bounds of personal growth or sailing skills that the girls experienced. Sailing is a true
team sport, and they thrived.”

Yesterday, Katie had the opportunity to speak to middle school students at the American International School of Muscat (K-12). Katie was delighted to inspire these students, by reviewing how the Omani Women’s Sailing Team progressed in the past 2 weeks of intense sailing competition. Katie, a Michigan native, was on the first all-female America’s Cup crew in 1995, and competed in the event twice after that. She has many stories to share, having survived some harrowing sailing episodes, including a dismasting in the treacherous waters off Cape Horn, and a capsizing off Australia. The opportunity to encourage and inspire young people is not only rewarding, but imperative to Rising Tide Leadership Institute’s mission.

Katie speaking to middle school

Great job ~ Katie, Dee and the rest of the crew: Sarah Hornby (UK), Elizabeth Bayliss (USA) and the Omani Women’s Sailing Team ~ Basma Al Nofali, Raiya Al Habsi, Rajaa Al Uwaisi, Ibtisam Al Salmi, Tahira Al Yahyaee and Asrar Al Ajmi!

SATT Finish Muscat 011

Photos by Lloyd Images

Farewell ~ Sailing Arabia The Tour 2013

Omani women sailors thrived…

The 2013 EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour has come to a close. February 25 was the final leg from Mussanah to Muscat. It was a whirlwind, as the leg from Dibba to Mussanah had us floating around with no wind during the night for hours, arriving into Mussanah Sunday at 5:00 pm only to have a skipper’s meeting at 7:00 pm, prize giving, quick dinner and bed. The next morning start had us down at the boats at 6:00 am. The leg was very frustrating as one cannot control the wind – or in our case – lack thereof. Keeping attention and enthusiasm as the sails thwack, thwack, and the waves toss the boat around like a toy is difficult. The worst part was that we had crossed tacks with what turned out to be the winning boat, but didn’t go into the shore with them. Ahhhh, hindsight.

Raya on bow

We started the final leg by heading down the coast under motor, as there wasn’t enough wind. All the boats were in high spirits, and we motored alongside our good friends and Farr 30 mentors, Team BAE, sharing jokes and stories. All of the boats in the fleet have been filled with good sailors, and simply good people. It’s difficult after spending everyday with these people to know that in a day it will be over, and you won’t see them for quite some time. Usually, one can expect to run into other sailors on the sailing circuit, but in this case with many who are here in the Gulf and not competing in the U.S. or European circuits, it may be a year (and doing the SATT) before I will get to see my friends again.

SATT Finish Muscat - Katie

The starting line was dropped just after the restricted area that is the waters before the Sultan’s home. (four miles of beach included!) The final race was going to determine the 2nd/3rd place between BAE and EFG Bank. Both teams skippered by renowned and experienced french skippers Cédric Pouligny and Sidney Gavignet would be a match race. The rest of the fleet was sailing for pride. We had an intense battle with Delf and Renaissance for 3rd, 4th and 5th, but kept getting forced to avoid Abu Dhabi and sail not ideal courses. The final placing was going to be determined by some gybing and crew work. Unfortunately, the last critical gybe was not executed flawlessly. Pressure and a lot happening was the undoing. It was really, really hard. The girls were devastated. Two cried. Oh, did I feel for them. It brought back memories of when our women’s team was eliminated in 1995 in the finals of the America’s Cup Challenger Series. Although a much grander/bigger scale, the importance and loss of a race is not lost on me. And like Dawn Riley told me back then, I told them, “There will always be another race or regatta.”

There is so much to say in reflection over the SATT 2013 tour, and the leaps and bounds made by the Omani girls! They were true contributing members on the team. It was their boat, and them doing the work. We went from having two Omani women sailors last year, to having 50% this year. The final position of the team does not reflect the amazing leaps and bounds of personal growth or sailing skills that the girls experienced. They had to start taking on jobs, responsibility for their time management, and sailing. Sailing is a true team sport, and they thrived.

All 6 Omani Women Sailors

There is much to be done as the ladies continue to grow, and it is fantastic that Oman Sail is invested in their growth, and the growth of this amazing sport. This tour was very difficult – more difficult than last year, because of the lack of recovery time between races. We had a number of legs where we had to be up at 5:00 am, waited around, finally raced, and then got in at night – only to get up again early in the morning. The added pit stop at Dubai took away a needed day off, and the points allotted the in-port racing meant that certain girls could not be given a break from sailing on those days as well. On the way in to Mussanah we talked to the girls about what they liked about the tour, and most said that they preferred in-port racing as opposed to the offshore. They struggled mightily with the lack of sleep, and the need for ongoing concentration even when there were no competitors around. The demanding weather didn’t faze them, as they all said their favorite leg was the sleigh ride across to Abu Dhabi – which involved 2 of them getting sea sick!

Next, the Omani girls will head to France to race J80s in Brest. It will be a huge fleet, a different boat, and very cold compared to the warm waters and temps of the Gulf. It will be interesting to see how they fare! I unfortunately cannot make it, because I have a job that will be demanding my attention during that time – but I will be watching and encouraging them from afar.

~Katie

Photos by Lloyd Images