FRASER'S LOG:
Who am I?

You might be wondering, “Who is this landlocked Zimbabwean trying to tackle Sailing’s biggest challenge?” Well, grab your life jacket, and let me take you on a whirlwind journey through my nautical beginnings!

Born in 1995 in Zimbabwe, my early years were spent on a tobacco farm, where the farm dam was barely big enough to fit our family’s 26ft sailboat, “Hooligan” (a nickname I’ve been affectionately accused of since!). My sailing education began here under the watchful eyes of my grandfather and parents.

My grandfather, Ian Fraser, was quite the sailor, boasting a route from Jamaica to Cape Town aboard “Cariad II” in 1953/4. After arriving in Cape Town from the pacific and Indian oceans with zero plans to go back to the Caribbean, he turned to farming in Rhodesia. He lived to 93, crediting his longevity to his daily sailor’s ration of rum. His adventures sparked my own sailing dream, and now you know who to blame!

After losing the farm in 2002, we moved to Harare. In 2006, my parents signed us up for “Sailing School” at Lake Chivero. I was hooked! From racing Optimists to 31ft cruisers, I raced around Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Post-A Levels, there was no choice—I knew my destiny was to sail.

After courses in Cape Town, where I was introduced to the tempestuous “Cape of Storms,” I sailed to Rio de Janeiro and back before securing my Yachtmaster license. With a decade of professional growth and knowledge and having been one of the youngest people to attain a Master of Yachts <3000GT at 26 years old.

I’m more than ready (and eager) for the next chapter. I’ve learned only a fraction of what there is to know, but what a ride it’s been—bring on the challenges!