Vendée Globe sailor Pip Hare appointed vice patron of youth sailing charity
Record-breaking offshore sailor and Vendee Globe competitor Pip Hare has been appointed vice patron of Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) South, a UK charity that uses offshore sailing to equip young people with life skills.
The appointment bolsters the charity’s mission to support 11-25-year-olds through sailing voyages aboard its 32-metre boat, Prolific, for around 450 people each year. Founded in 1960, the charity works with mainstream and disadvantaged youth, helping them build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and communication.
“Becoming a vice patron of Ocean Youth Trust South is both an honour and a privilege,” says Pip Hare. “As a young person, I found my voice, my confidence, and my ambition through youth sail training schemes, and I can speak firsthand about the incredible life skills and experiences that sailing can offer,” she adds.
Hare’s involvement is expected to help raise the profile of the organisation, particularly at a time when outdoor youth programmes face growing demand but limited resources.
Mark Todd, chief executive of Ocean Youth Trust South, comments: “We couldn’t be more proud to have Pip Hare join us as a Vice Patron of the charity. She is an incredible inspiration to young people, both for her many achievements and successes and also for her personality, resilience, and emotional honesty when faced with challenges. Pip is a true role model, and we look forward to cheering her on through all her future adventures.”
The news comes the same week that Canada Ocean Racing confirmed that Hare will join its Be Water Positive campaign for the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe.
Hare is scheduled to sail alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and a four-person crew on each leg of the race.
