80th Rolex

Sydney to Hobart

Yacht Race

Support a Crew Member

80th Rolex

Sydney to Hobart

Yacht Race

Support a Crew Member

Why We're Doing it

This year, Making Waves Foundation proudly takes part in the 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, marking our 23rd consecutive campaign in this legendary offshore event.

Our mission remains the same: inclusive sailing for all, breaking barriers both on and off the water. For the first time, 18-year-old program graduate (Wright of Passage) Brad Hoppen joins our crew in the Winds of Inspiration Program. 

With 50% of our crew living with disability, each member’s journey demonstrates determination, teamwork, and courage. Your support helps provide offshore safety gear, training, and travel opportunities, empowering young sailors like Brad to reach their potential. Every donation strengthens endurance, leadership, and confidence while championing inclusive Australian sailing.

Campaign Goal

Each crew member aims to raise $3,500 to fund their training, boat maintenance, sea safety survival, and essential gear.

2025 Racing Schedule – Making Waves Foundation Campaign

Race Name
Date
Status
Live Tracker/Results

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Sat, 26 July 2025

Completed

View Results

GCCM Gold Coast to Mackay Offshore Yacht Race

Fri, 1 August 2025

Completed

View Results

Tollgate Islands Race

Fri, 17 October 2025

Upcoming

Live Tracker

Cabbage Tree Island Race

Fri, 5 December 2025

Upcoming

Live Tracker

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Fri, 26 December 2025

Upcoming

Live Tracker

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get live updates straight from the boat!

Meet the Crew

Jens Als

International

Jens is a four-time Paralympian, silver medalist at Sydney 2000, is a 100,000-mile sailor and brings global experience to the team.

Support Jens

Jordan Berryman

Newcastle

Jordan brings 8 years of volunteering experience and will be in action at the pointy end of the boat.

Support Jordan

Bridget Canham

Sydney

Bridget is competing in her 10th Sydney to Hobart, bringing years of nursing, sailing, and volunteer experience.

Support Bridget

Jeff Davis

Sydney

Jeff brings decades of international and domestic sailing experience to the Making Waves crew.

Support Jeff

Steve Grellis

Sydney

Steve heads for his 33rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. His race experience will be invaluable for all of our Hobart crew.

Support Steve

Brad Hoppen

Wright of Passage Graduate

Brad has completed all Making Waves Programs and at 18 years old, he will be one of the youngest to compete.

Support Brad

James Hunter

Sydney

Despite losing his eyesight in 2015, James will join as an experienced crew member and complete his 3rd Sydney to Hobart.

Support James

Annie Lawrence

Sydney

Annie has completed 19 Sydney to Hobart Races and brings extensive volunteer experience as a seasoned navigator.

Support Annie

Jeff Lewis

Sydney

Jeff, a devoted volunteer, has sailed all his life, is an experienced skipper. Even does maritime maintenance and repairs.

Support Jeff

Kirsten Pollock

International

Kirsten is an accomplished sailor and volunteer with Rutland Sailability in the UK and is a passionate advocate for inclusion.

Support Kirsten

Greg Pugh

Newcastle

Greg has volunteered for MWF for 11 years and has sailed over 26,000 nautical miles - supporting inclusion on every voyage.

Support Greg

David Rieser

Sydney

David, living with disability for 45 years, he strives to prove that people with disability are far more capable than many expect.

Support David

Sanne Rodenstein

Melbourne

Sanne is the newest crew member and aims to grow through learning resilience, supporting crew and embracing offshore challenges.

Support Sanne

Amandine Schaeffer

Sydney

Amandine will be participating in her first Sydney to Hobart this year. She brings sailing, cruising and racing experience.

Support Amandine

Dennis Ward

Melbourne

Dennis has been involved at MWF as an experienced skipper for four years and has worked to RYA Yachtmaster level.

Support Dennis

John Whitfeld

Sydney

John will take the helm as skipper this year and will bring wealth of sailing experience and passion for teamwork.

Support John

John Whitfeld

Sydney

John will take the helm as skipper this year and will bring wealth of sailing experience and passion for teamwork.

Support John

Crew stories

John Whitfeld 

Paying it Forward

31st Sydney to Hobart

James Hunter

Digging Deep

Recently Blind 

David Rieser

So Grateful

Disability Dystonia

Crew stories

Tracey Gottliebsen

Feeling Nice

Winds of Joy Volunteer

Al Grundy

Rough Ride

Polio Survivor

David Preston

Still Smiling

Born with Cerebral palsy

Ian Farquarson

Faith in Kindness

Sponsor

Alyson Gearing

Land Ahoy

Hearing loss

John Whitfeld 

Paying it Forward

30th Sydney to Hobart

James Hunter

Digging Deep

Recently Blind 

Maddie Lyons

Feeling Sea Sick

New generation aboard

David Rieser

So Grateful

Disability Dystonia

Thank you to our partners

Primary Partner

The Primary Club of Australia

Apparel Partner

GILL

Clothing
Equipment (Marine Plus- exclusive distributor for Gill AUSTRALIA)

Service Partners

Survitec

Marine SafetyWorks

Support our Crew

Each crew member is raising $3,500 to fund training, travel, and offshore safety gear.

Your donation directly supports:

  • Safe and inclusive offshore racing experiences
  • Development of the next generation of sailors
  • MWF’s ongoing mission to break barriers in sailing
Donate

Follow our journey!

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