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In 2023, Audrey, her husband and two sons aged 5 and 7, set off together to explore the world by sea.

When we decided to leave the comforts of home and set sail with our two small children, we knew we were embarking on more than just a voyage across oceans. We were venturing into uncharted territories of family dynamics, education, and self-discovery.

Stepping beyond comfort zones

Taking our kids out of their familiar environment was no small feat. We faced questions about their education, social interactions, and safety. Yet, we believed that the world had more to teach than any classroom could offer. From navigating treacherous waters to exploring diverse cultures, every experience became a lesson in resilience, adaptability, and curiosity.

When we embarked on our journey, we found ourselves in uncharted territory, both literally and figuratively. There were few family focused resources available that spoke directly to families like ours, taking children out of their comfort zones and into a life of adventure at sea. There definitely was a shortage of children’s story books on that matter, which I personally would have found helpful before starting our journey. This realization, and then the experience that followed, inspired me to write my book, “The Boys Who Sailed The World,” aiming to provide the encouragement and comfort to other families who are looking to embark on a similar journey.

The book is crafted for families at every stage of this journey. Those dreaming of setting sail, those already navigating the open waters, and those reflecting on their own adventures. Through our experiences, I hope it offers a beacon for others, illuminating the path and reassuring them that they’re not alone in their voyage preparation.

Discovering a global community with noforeignland

One of the most unexpected blessings of our journey was discovering the noforeignland platform. This social networking app for sailors became our bible, connecting us with a community of like-minded adventurers of all ages. Although, through the app, we gained valuable insights into the destinations we planned to visit, the best part was the community we found ourselves in via the app.

We would routinely check noforeignland before and during our time at anchorages to identify nearby boats, especially those with families or fellow Australians. The app’s filtering features allowed us to connect with the Kids4Sail group, making it easier to find other families sailing with children.

Read how another parent used the noforeignland “Events” feature to organize her daughter’s birthday party.

Forging lifelong friendships

Our community also expanded beyond families. We formed deep connections with many child-free boats whose crews became integral parts of our journey. Whether it was sharing a meal, a drink, exchanging stories, or assisting each other during challenging times, these relationships enriched our voyage immeasurably.

To be honest, at first, it felt like all of the families on the app were so distant and that we would never find other groups to spend time with. We would arrive at an anchorage just as another family left, or we would leave just before another family arrive. It started to feel like we were on this journey as just the four of us. This started to take a toll on my sons who craved friends, interactions and games with people their own age; and a distraction from school work, boat jobs and each other.

The in-app chat feature became our savior. It facilitated real-time communication, allowing us to eventually coordinate proper meet-ups, share anchorage information, and offer support to other sailors. Thanks to the app, we finally started spending decent periods of time with other families. I remember vividly the excitement from all of us when we pulled into an anchorage, knowing that a family with 3 children were arriving on the same day and planning to stay most of the week by our side. Now, two years later, we’re still in touch with that very first family and I’m confident we will cross paths again.

Other families we met along the way sailed in the same direction and we spent significant time together. It was nice to be able to track their whereabouts and coordinate further meet-ups. These friendships have lived on way beyond our in-app chats and developed into bigger things, like hosting each other at our homes, post sailing. These interactions transformed our sailing experience from solitary exploration to a shared adventure that I reflect in my book.

A tapestry of shared experiences

Through noforeignland, we didn’t just navigate the seas; we became part of a vibrant tapestry of sailors, each with their own stories and wisdom. The platform enabled us to document our journey, share our experiences, and stay connected with friends old and new. It also kept us in touch with friends and family back home who were eager to track our whereabouts. We were able to share real time tracking for those waiting to meet us, for those eagerly watching our whereabouts and for us to simply keep a record of our locations and distances travelled.

Our voyage taught us that while the world is vast, the connections we make can bridge any distance. The noforeignland platform reminds us that adventure is best when shared, and that the relationships we build along the way are the true treasures of the journey.

The true treasures of our journey

Our journey across the oceans was more than just an adventure. It was a transformative experience that reshaped our family, strengthened our resilience, and deepened our understanding of the world. We are forever grateful to noforeignland for enriching our voyage, keeping us connected to those back home and fostering our social desires.

Are you sailing with kids as well? Help grow the knowledge base for the noforeignland community by sharing how you create and maintain connections with other cruisers, and how the NFL app helps. You can also check out our other kid boat articles.

 

By Audrey Griffiths

Audrey, her husband and two boys (aged 5 and 7) set off in 2023, purchasing a catamaran in Spain with the intention of sailing back to Australia. Their 18 month timeline, and other outside factors, meant they didn’t make it all the way home under sail. However, they enjoyed their time sailing across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean, eventually selling their boat in the Bahamas. Through this journey, and inspired by the gaps they noticed, Audrey wrote "The Boys Who Sailed The World" to guide and encourage other young families considering a similar path. Their story is a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when you take a leap into the unknown, and a reminder that the true treasures of any adventure are the connections you make and the memories you create along the way.

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