David Scott Cowper, Renowned Great Britain yachtsman to share adventures

 

The first man to sail solo around the world in both directions is to host a talk in Gateshead to raise money for a youth development charity.

David Scott Cowper will share stories of his adventures in a fundraising event in aid of Tyneside-based charity Ocean Youth Trust North, which provides opportunities for 12 to 25-year-olds through yachting expeditions.

David, 70, has successfully circumnavigated the world seven times and is regarded as the greatest living single handed navigator by many in the yachting world.

In 1990, he became the first man to sail solo around the world via the Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The journey took him four years and two months.




At 1533Z on 29 August 2012, David Scott Cowper and Jane Maufe aboard motor yacht Polar Bound, became the first yacht to navigate west of Cape Prince Albert on the original Northwest Passage through McClure Strait discovered by Captain Robert McClure aboard HMS Investigator in 1851. 

Polar Bound departed Portrush, Northern Ireland on Thursday 2 August 2012 at 1030 GMT and arrived at the port of Nome Alaska on Friday 7 September 2012 at 1800 GMT completing an official Northwest Passage by crossing both the Atlantic Arctic Circle 17 August at approximately 1000 GMT@ 66.31 N 54.20 W and crossed the Pacific Arctic Circle Thursday 6 September at approximately 0640 GMT at 66.31 M 167.59 W. 

This northwest passage was the first passage by a private yacht through McClure Stait in the entire 162 year history of the Northwest Passage and was completed in just under 20 days transit.

He will deliver an illustrated talk at HMS Calliope, on South Shore Road at 7pm on April 18.

Steve Lennon, general manager of OYT North, said: "David Scott Cowper's story is an inspirational example as to what can be achieved when you dedicate yourself to a goal and work tirelessly to make it happen.

"We are extremely grateful that David is supporting our work teaching life skills to young people through adventure under sail and we'd urge anyone with a spirit of adventure to come and hear him speak."

Tickets are £10 and all proceeds are in aid of OYT North.

For more information on how to buy tickets visit www.sailjamescook.com/events/david-scott-cowper.