Against the Flow

In 2006, Dee Caffari became the first woman to sail solo around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. Her story is an adventure in the truest sense of the word. It is about physical hardship in terrible conditions, overcoming sleep deprivation, 34 days of gales, 12-metre waves, and cyclones. It is also about a woman who stepped outside her safe zone and dared to dream. Her courage resulted in a place in the history books alongside a handful of men, having achieved something truly extraordinary. More people have walked on the moon than have successfully completed a westabout circumnavigation, and in this inspirational book Dee shares the story of her journey from beginner to record breaker.

A new chapter for this paperback edition recounts Dee's experiences since her record and her preparations for the Vendée Globe Race.

About the Author

After an early career as a secondary school PE teacher, Dee Caffari realised that her destiny was on the water. She gave up her teaching job, completed a number of offshore races, and successfully skippered 18 amateur yachtsmen around the world in the Global Challenge Race. In the same 72ft yacht, Aviva, she completed her record-breaking circumnavigation, finishing in May 2006.

Praise for Against the Flow

"This book is adventure story, biography and inspiration all bound into one volume."

– Shetland Times

"Story of the first woman to sail circumnavigate the wrong way around the world."

– The Bookseller

"Dee Caffari engages with the reader so her experiences become your experiences."

"It's an absorbing narrative with pace and energy with a simple message: the ordinary can change and become exceptional."

– Sailing Today

"This is a good read with daring to aplenty but also with an accessible and very human heroine who, just maybe, given the opportunity, we could see ourselves trying to emulate."

– Lifeboat

"...an enjoyable and inspiring tale..."

– The Little Ship

"This is a truly inspiring book that follows the highs, and inevitable lows, of Dee's journey, before detailing what she has been up to since her records."

– Boat Mart