Canadian Team Takes on the Ocean Race Europe

Dec 19, 2024

The Collingwood ON-based Be Water Positive Sailing Team is announcing its participation in The Ocean Race Europe, one of the most prestigious and challenging offshore sailing events in the world. 

In August 2025, the race will start from Kiel, Germany and see the latest generation foiling IMOCA boats racing to The Ocean Race Europe will start from Kiel, Germany on 10 August, with stops in Portsmouth, UK; Cartagena, Spain and Genova, Italy, before the Finale in Boka Bay, Montenegro. 

Aligned with The Ocean Race’s Racing with Purpose initiative, Be Water Positive is committed to raising awareness about the importance of water security and inspiring meaningful action for ocean health with the support of our partners H2O Innovation and the International Desalination and Reuse Association.

Scott Shawyer

Scott Shawyer, skipper and team president, is no stranger to the emotional highs and lows of this sport and he recognizes the challenge ahead.

“I don’t have the years of experience moving through the Mini class, or the Figaro circuit, that you see in many of the women and men racing IMOCAs. The talent in the IMOCA class is incredible and can be both intimidating and at times humbling.”

The Be Water Positive Sailing Team is a new squad on the IMOCA scene, led by Shawyer, a businessman turned sailor, who is determined to grow offshore sailing in his native Canada. 

“I’ve always been an avid sailor. I grew up sailing dinghies on Georgian Bay,” Shawyer explains. “Fast forward through to COVID and I was in lockdown – couldn’t leave the house – and I saw the Vendée Globe sailors walking down the dock, jumping on their boats and racing around the world. It was such a sense of freedom… I thought I’m doing something wrong here being strapped to a desk!!”

“This campaign has several goals,” says Shawyer. “Firstly, from a sporting perspective, we want to be the first Canadian team to compete in The Ocean Race, and the first Canadian to finish the Vendée Globe. 

Here is Scott Shawyer discussing his program:

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