…with Oyster Yachts Owner and Chairman Richard Hadida.
AAS: You and your family are taking part in the latest Oyster World Rally. Why did you choose to join this edition of the rally?
RH: Sailing around the world has been my lifelong dream and seeing places few ever do is a dream realised. This voyage promises new ventures, challenges and a wealth of unseen wonders. The Rally is a proper family adventure, a rare chance for quality time and bonding with my wife, Ali, and our toddler, Harry, as we embark on the ultimate circumnavigation of the globe.
Sailing can take you to the most remote and beautiful corners of our blue planet, but it also brings you closer to the people who matter most. My family and I have shared unforgettable adventures aboard Lush, our Oyster 885, and this Rally will mark our first bluewater crossing, a truly special experience.
Sailing is a deeply social and transformative experience. With each edition of the Oyster World Rally, I see how the experience brings people together, owners and their crews forming lifelong friendships as they circumnavigate the globe. It is more than just a journey; it is a shared adventure that fosters resilience, builds community and inspires personal growth.
AAS: Are you there primarily as an Oyster Yacht owner, or as the owner of the company?
RH: I am there first and foremost as an Oyster owner and a sailor. I love the brand, the yachts and what they represent, and being involved in every part of the business, from design to craftsmanship to sailing, is incredibly rewarding. My top priority is serving as an Oyster owner, embracing the many responsibilities, triumphs and challenges that come with it.
I am putting Lush through exactly what our owners experience: long passages, changing conditions and, often, life at sea with a toddler. With the crew managing the details and Ali helping make the boat a safe home for Harry, it shows that Oyster yachts are safe, reliable and comfortable even under the most demanding conditions. Experiencing it first-hand gives me confidence that our owners can trust their yachts to perform just as well.
AAS: How is your family settling into life on the water and what is it like having Harry, your two-year-old, onboard?
RH: The journey so far has been truly fantastic. Both Ali and I undertook an extensive level of preparation and planning for months leading up to the Rally. It is very much a family effort. Ali has transformed Lush into a safe and comfortable home for our son Harry by organising baby gates, safety nets and a bespoke paediatric medical kit, and by completing specialised medical training for emergencies at sea.
With Harry onboard, it is often about the practical rhythms of life at sea, sleep, meals and ensuring his safety. The crew manages the technical and operational side of the yacht, ensuring everything from navigation to engine maintenance is meticulously maintained. This combination allows us to fully enjoy the adventure together while knowing that every aspect of life aboard, from Harry’s safety to our daily routines, is carefully looked after. Being active participants rather than passive passengers makes the journey both a shared family experience and an unforgettable adventure.
AAS: You are going to see some incredible parts of the world. Are there any particular highlights you have already seen and/or are looking forward to?
RH: I am incredibly excited to visit Cape Town after completing the Indian Ocean leg of the Rally, as well as Recife, which is renowned for its reefs that help shelter the coastline and create calmer waters. It also offers a fascinating blend of historic old-town character alongside a vibrant, modern cultural scene.
AAS: With so many different Oyster Yachts in the rally fleet and owners spanning eight different nationalities the sight of all 23 yachts together must be impressive. With so many people taking part, what is the social side of the rally like?
RH: Community has always been at the heart of the Oyster World Rally, and the shared fleet experience amplifies that in a remarkable way. When you join a Rally, you are not just travelling; you are travelling together as part of the Oyster community, the ‘Oyster Family’. Sailing alongside other owners, sharing both the challenges and triumphs of each passage, watching the same sunsets, feeling the same winds and discovering new destinations collectively creates a camaraderie that goes far beyond friendship. These connections, forged over meals on deck, under the stars or through teamwork in demanding conditions, form a network of people who truly understand and share your passion for the sea, and those bonds often last a lifetime.
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