WATCH – From the Highveld to the high seas, Bobby van Strijp reports from the Atlantic
Bobby van Strijp shares how she and her dad braved the Atlantic in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Bobby van Strijp writes:
Counting days at sea
Journal entry at 02:46:29 | Saturday, October 25
I write the date because my navy blue Casio watch is the only reference to time I have, and also the only clue as to how many days we’ve been on this yacht.
I’m having nightmares and have been for the past seven… or nine… possibly only five shifts. I say “shifts” because my days have drifted into what feels like a timeless strain of agony.
Earlier, my dad told me with humorous delight, “We are officially a third of the way.” I nodded while climbing out of the galley pit and said, “That’s good to know.”
He leaned in closer and added with a grin, “That means we still have 12 days to go.”
My brain received the reference to time with complete disdain. “Jesus, take the wheel,” is all I had to say. He chuckled.
This surreal moment was just one of many prayers and journal entries during our Atlantic crossing as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, a journey that began long before we set sail from Uruguay.
The journey begins long before the yacht
We departed Punta del Este at 15:00 on October 20 and docked at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town at 15:30 on November 5.
But it started in Gosport, Portsmouth, UK, where my dad and I spent four weeks training at Clipper Race HQ. The programme is designed to transform everyday adventurers into competent ocean racers. From basic sailing and safety drills to full race simulations, we learned to live, sail, and survive on board.
We sailed to the Isle of Wight, across the English Channel to France, and my personal favourite, the dramatic chalk cliffs of the Needles. These locations weren’t just scenic; they were the backdrop to some of the most formative experiences of my life.
Building bonds at sea
Clipper cleverly mixes crew from different legs and yachts during training to build camaraderie across the fleet. And it works. The bonds we formed, over shared meals, stormy nights, and endless sail changes, were deep and lasting.
Ubuntu on the ocean
During one crew dinner, I shared the South African concept of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” and it resonated deeply with our team. Out there on the ocean, it’s not just about sailing, it’s about supporting each other, trusting each other, and growing together.
The Atlantic crossing: Uruguay to Cape Town
Six weeks after training, my dad and I joined Team Warrant in Punta del Este, Uruguay, for Leg 2 of the race, a 3,555 nautical mile journey to Cape Town.
What followed was a whirlwind of low-pressure systems, freezing night watches, and minimalist living aboard a 70-foot racing yacht.
Moments of discomfort and joy
There were moments of pure discomfort, like the time I realised I’d been wearing the same clothes for weeks, my hair was welded into a French plait, and my dad’s water bottle had started growing mold from all the electrolyte supplements.
But there were also moments of pure joy, like the stormy night when the boat went airborne and instead of panicking, the crew cheered like we were participating in a rodeo.
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A taste of home at sea
Then there was the moment I cracked open a vacuum-packed piece of geelvet biltong from Alan’s Butchery in Ermelo, just in time for my dad’s sacred “Bier om Vier.”
My father, Jakes van Strijp, an attorney from Ermelo and a member of the Ermelo Flying Club, has a weekly tradition with fellow members where they gather at the flying pub for a 16:00 sundowner every Friday. Sadly, no beers on board, but at least we had biltong!
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The crew went wild for the “dry sausage” too, and our fellow South Africans on board were close to tears. It was a taste of home in the middle of the Atlantic, salty, spicy, and absolutely sacred.
I’m deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to share this experience with my dad.
Gratitude and reflection
This journey has challenged me, shaped me, and introduced me to a new passion that I never saw coming. Sailing has become more than a hobby, it’s a community and a reminder of what we’re capable of when we push beyond our comfort zones.
It’s a memory I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
To our friends and family, your support and encouragement have been pivotal in making this adventure possible. Thank you for being our anchors.
Read more on this in this week’s Highvelder.
