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...vigation against the prevailing winds and currents, Dee Caffari set a world record by becoming the first woman to complete this epic voyage in 2006. More recently Dee competed in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe – a race around the world, non-stop and alone, known within the sailing arena as the pinnacle offshore event. Dee crossed the finish line in 6th place out of the 30 starters. To read more about her record breaking circumnavigations click here
As the only female to sail solo, non-stop in both directions around the world, Dee added to her achievements in June 2009 by claiming the overall crewed monohull Round Britain and Ireland Speed Record, which now stands at 6 days 11 hours 30 minutes and 53 seconds. WSSRC
A former secondary school teacher of Physical Education, Dee decided after five years of teaching to change careers. With a desire for adventure, travel and experiencing new environments, Dee set her sights on the marine industry. First she qualified as a water sports instructor then completed her offshore sailing qualifications and began to work on yachts.
A love of the ocean and our coastlines has seen Dee become an ambassador for the RYA Green Blue Campaign to help encourage everyone to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
Working in the yacht charter business enabled Dee to sail in numerous places around the world and gain valuable mileage and experience. Seeing the 2000/01 Global Challenge fleet return home after their impressive race was the catalyst for Dee’s next goal. In 2004, Dee had secured her place as the only female skipper in the fleet to race in the Global Challenge race.
A natural team leader, the crewed round the world race dealt with man management, conflict management and also the extreme highs and lows encountered with success and failure on a race lasting ten months. Rather than acting as a deterrent to Dee, this spurred her on to push her boundaries yet again by attempting the same journey – solo and non-stop. After arriving home from the Global Challenge race in July 2005, it was just four months later that Dee set off again to attempt her pioneering voyage - the Aviva Challenge.
As an enthusiast of testing personal limitations and living outside her comfort zone, it is not just sailing activities that Dee has relished taking part in. The increasingly popular sport of adventure racing takes place at all levels but the most extreme for Dee has been the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge. This involved Dee leading an all female team over 6500km of rugged terrain using the four disciplines of trekking, running, cycling and kayaking. The focus was to raise money for cancer charities and Dee has since become a Patron for the charity Sail 4 Cancer.
Dee has led others through hostile conditions, inspiring an amateur team of sailors in the Global Challenge, for example, and overseeing a dramatic rescue too. She led an all-woman crew to beat the record sailing around Britain and Ireland. Good communication, focus, careful preparation, goal setting and developing others’ talents are key. As well as a sense of fun!
With anecdotes drawn from three circumnavigations of the globe, Dee tailors her talks to inspire and entertain her audience. Clients appreciate Dee’s humour and positive world-view as well as respect her ‘jaw-dropping’ stories and achievements.
Testimonials
‘Dee was engaging, down to earth and warm hearted. Her presentation was extremely well received by our clients. Her description of the extraordinary challenges and her way of dealing with them was a lesson in perspective for us all.’ – Oracle, UK
'Dee’s presentation was a wonderful and highly effective way to engage and inspire our employees.’ - Aviva, Canada
‘It exceeded our already high expectations. It delivered an impact that left people motivated and upbeat. The ‘wow’ factor of the conference.’ - Reckitt Benckiser, UK
‘Dee is a wonderful presenter… truly inspiring! The audience was spellbound. I don't believe we have ever had so many people ask so many questions after a presentation, but Dee took it all in her stride and graciously answered each one with good humour and wit.’ - Telstra, Australia
‘Everyone was just completely silent, listening with their jaws dropped: her talk was funny, interesting, relevant and the audience were captivated. Dee was quite happy to do question/answers completely unprepared and she engaged the audience in her talk.’ - Mace Group
‘A stunning success all round. Dee was amazing.’ - Birmingham Law Society
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- Motivation
- Awards Presentation
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Courage in difficult times
- Self-belief & Overcoming fears
- After dinners
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