A monumental maritime expedition is on the horizon as 33-year-old Craig Wood, a former British soldier from Doncaster, aims to become the first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop, and unsupported across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. This daring endeavor will see Craig navigating 6,000 nautical miles from La Paz in Mexico to Yokohama in Japan, set to commence in early 2025.
The Journey Ahead
Embarking on such a grueling challenge is no small feat. Craig’s journey is expected to last over 60 days, during which he will face severe weather conditions, waves as high as two double-decker buses, isolation, and sleep deprivation. In addition to these natural adversities, Craig will contend with the unique challenges posed by his injuries.
“This is a massive challenge, and I’m not going into it without weighing up all of the risks involved,”
Craig states with determination.
The Vessel: A Customised Catamaran
For this historic voyage, Craig will sail a 41-foot aluminum catamaran, a custom-built yacht specifically designed to withstand the tough conditions he will encounter. The boat has been extensively modified to cater to Craig’s needs, ensuring that even if he experiences issues with his prosthetic arm, he can still sail effectively with one hand.
“We are fully adapting my catamaran for the voyage so that even if I have an issue with my prosthetic arm, I can still sail one-handed,” Craig explains. “That’s not just adding in rails and electric winches, but also reconfiguring the galley to make sure everything is at an accessible height.”
A Journey Born from Adversity
Craig’s path to this point has been marked by incredible resilience. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Craig was deployed to Afghanistan as a rifleman in the British Army. Just three months into his first tour, on July 30, 2009, an IED bomb blast resulted in the loss of both his legs and his left hand. Craig also suffered two collapsed lungs, lost 27 pints of blood, and his face was severely injured by shrapnel.
The road to recovery was long and arduous, involving eight months to relearn how to walk and four and a half years of rehabilitation at Headley Court in Surrey. Throughout this time, Craig underwent over 20 operations, battling both physical and mental challenges.
“At points it almost got the best of me, but my family were amazing, and I couldn’t change my situation – so I came to terms with it and decided to be the best triple amputee I could be,”
Craig reflects.
Rediscovering a Passion for Sailing
Support from charities such as Blesma and Turn to Starboard, along with encouragement from his father, led Craig back to a childhood hobby—sailing. This hobby not only helped him overcome feelings of entrapment but also showed him that even with his disabilities, anything was possible.
“My dad then encouraged me to return to a hobby I shared with him as a child on family trips to Bridlington – sailing,” Craig shares. “It helped me overcome the feeling of being trapped and showed me that even with my handicap everything is possible. A new world of opportunity opened up, and a new purpose grew in me. Today, my life has developed beyond my dreams.”
Life at Sea
Today, Craig lives on his boat, Sirius II, with his wife Renata and their two young children for much of the year. This nomadic lifestyle aligns perfectly with Craig’s adventurous spirit and is fully embraced by his family.
“I’ve never spent any significant time away from my family and I think this will be one of the hardest things for me,” Craig admits. “However, through this expedition if I can help change the perception of disability, and show how sailing can transform lives of those affected by trauma – it will have been well worth it.”
Raising Awareness and Support
In addition to breaking records, Craig’s voyage aims to raise awareness and funds for the charities that supported him during his recovery. He is actively seeking the support of the public and businesses across the UK to make his mission a success.
To support Craig’s record-breaking Pacific voyage, visit Craig Wood Sails.
Craig’s journey is backed by Team Forces and Palo Alto Networks, and he continues to seek further sponsorship to ensure the success of his voyage. Follow Craig’s preparation and voyage on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms at @Craigwoodsails.
