Doing Good While Having Fun

"It all started back in 2010 with the Baja Ha-Ha," writes Aussie sailor John Hembrow, "and now this." He’s referring to his recent nomination to receive the Cruiser of the Year award sponsored by Cruising Helmsman magazine. Despite the fact that we meet hundreds of new cruisers every year on the Ha-Ha, John and his lovely wife Leanne were standouts due to their upbeat energy and obvious enthusiasm for adventuring under sail. 

Since then, they’ve logged thousands of ocean miles and experienced both the highs and lows of the cruising life. Having spent several seasons in Fiji, John was a key player in developing the SailFiji app for cruisers. And a few years ago, he and Leanne created the now-popular Down Under Rally. Most recently, they’ve assisted in the ongoing relief effort to the outer islands of Fiji, in the aftermath of last month’s devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston. 

The pair stands out not only as sailors who know how to live life with gusto, but as travelers who show great respect for the cultures they visit. Their friends here at Latitude 38 applaud the example they set for others who follow in their wake. "Good on ya, mates."