Dan Stroud returned in late May from a marathon voyage in his Rustler 31, Aisling, after a 2 year, 9 month circumnavigation.
Dan set out in September 2017 from Weir Quay Boatyard. He sailed to Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, the Gambia, crossed the Atlantic to Brazil, then Uruguay, Argentina to Ushuaia, through the Beagle Channel up the west coast of Chile, across the Pacific to French Polynesia, on to Hawaii, Solomon Islands and Port Moresby on PNG, then across the Indian Ocean to Richards Bay in South Africa, then to Simonstown round the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Town. Up to St.Helena then back across the Atlantic to Bequia in the Grenadines. He left the Caribbean in early April stopping in Horta in the Azores, but was not allowed ashore as restrictions due to Covid-19 started to have an impact. From there, he sailed to Plymouth and arrived there in late May. The Sailing Club celebrated his return with a socially-distanced welcome party!
Earlier this year Dan was awarded the Jester Medal from the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC). Their citation for Dan read:
The OCC Jester Award goes to Dan Stroud who is sailing around the world in a 31ft Rustler. This award, named after Blondie Hasler’s iconic Folkboat Jester, recognises a noteworthy singlehanded voyage or series of voyages made in a small vessel. Our panel of judges were extremely impressed by Dan’s singlehanded, low tech cruise from the UK to South Africa. He started a circumnavigation in the spirit of challenge and adventure, but his reasons have changed during his time underway. By the time he reached the North Pacific via Ushuaia and the Marquesas, he was feeling he’d had enough. But the logical option was to continue westward – so now he is completing the circumnavigation to return home. He keeps everything simple and low key, with just the basic necessities on board, few electronics or gadgets, and no fridge or shower.
Described as ‘an inveterate traveller and adventurer‘ a full account of how Dan got involved in sailing, his subsequent adventures and how he followed his dream, is available at the following link:
, https://news.oceancruisingclub.org/home/index/991
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