The meticulous preparations of a captain, crew, and parents of a toddler gearing up for the 16-month, 27,000 mile Oyster World Rally circumnavigation
Oyster’s Fifth World Rally Begins
27,000 nautical miles, 27 of the world’s most captivating destinations, and 16 months at sea: an exhilarating circumnavigation that many sailors dream of, but only few achieve. Welcome to the Oyster World Rally.
On January 18, 2026, the turquoise waters of Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua will come alive as 23 Oyster yachts, and their participants hailing from eight nationalities, embark on an enriching journey sailing around the world. From the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal, to the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands, to the rarely trodden beaches of Vanuatu and the Marquesas, the tenacious group will reach the planet’s most remote and beautiful destinations, many of which are only accessible by boat. The upcoming fifth Oyster World Rally, with the expert guidance of Oyster’s world-class rally team and the camaraderie of a truly global community, will enable a new class of owners to accomplish the esteemed maritime triumph. The unparalleled bluewater sailing adventure is a true testament to resilience, and its completion allows Oyster owners to join the legendary ranks of the most passionate, daring, and bold seafarers—which will soon include two-year-old Harry Hadida.
The youngest Oyster World Rally sailor in history, young Harry will join the voyage of a lifetime aboard Lush, the 90-foot Oyster 885, with his mother, Ali, a former National Health Service (NHS) doctor, and his father, Richard, the owner and chairman of Oyster Yachts. Taking part in their first Rally as a family, the Hadidas are not simply passengers on Lush, they are active participants in the preparation and execution of the journey, diligently making their dream adventure a safe reality.
While the 2026-27 Oyster World Rally is certainly distinguished by adventurous members like the Hadida family, it is the years of tireless preparations by captains and crews that transform it into an experience both unparalleled and effortless. For the captain and crew of Lush, the 2026-27 Rally introduces an entirely new dimension of preparation, collaboration, and dedication.
Meet Captain Hugh White
Joining the Rally for his first circumnavigation, Captain Hugh White is a central figure leading Lush and supporting the Hadida family. Sailing was not always his plan, though. Seeking an alternative to university upon his high school graduation, he decided to give sailing a try, despite having no prior experience being raised in inland South Africa. Undaunted, he enrolled in a series of courses and quickly fell in love with life at sea. Despite his nontraditional beginnings, his determination and work ethic led him through a natural progression of roles on the water, ultimately culminating in his captaincy of Lush. Though three of his prior ships planned to sail around the world, the plans fell through; now, Captain White will share the special experience of his first Oyster World Rally, and first ever circumnavigation, with the Hadida family.
With nearly a decade of sailing experience under his belt, Captain White has a deep understanding of his many essential responsibilities, including overseeing preparations for the Rally, serving as the main support for participants and crew, and ensuring the highest standards of safety aboard Lush. His exceptional attention to detail is critical to the success of the Rally, and he has relentlessly pursued excellence in his planning. Yet, he admits that his favorite moments, which are made possible through preparation, remain the unplanned ones: waking up, having coffee, and watching the sunrise, one of the many beautiful moments built into life on Lush that he tries not to take for granted.
While Captain White has been on Lush for almost two years, the vessel has already had quite a life of her own. Having successfully completed nineteen Atlantic crossings and navigated the Pacific and Indian Oceans since her launch in 2012, Lush stands as a powerful testament to Oyster’s durability. She is regularly recognized in marinas worldwide by sailors who have raced aboard her or crossed oceans in her company, reinforcing a sense of shared Oyster heritage and community. Her acclaimed fundamental strength and construction integrity has allowed Captain White, the crew, and the Hadidas to plan their upcoming circumnavigation with complete confidence, free from operational anxieties that plague other vessels.
“I have worked on other fiberglass yachts, and Oyster yachts are built better than any of the others I have sailed… [captaining Lush] is the safest I have ever felt on any boat I have worked on,” White says.
A voyage on Lush, like any Oyster, is defined by advanced safety, quality craftsmanship, and a global culture of camaraderie. Her legacy of reliability, paired with Captain White’s dedicated expertise, ensures that Lush is more than prepared for the unconventional group she will carry on her next journey.
The Hadida Family Joins the Fleet
Aboard Lush, Richard, Ali, and two-year-old Harry will join the fleet and crew, bringing a new dynamic to the Rally and pioneering a novel family experience. While Richard and Ali each hold personal reasons for participating in the Rally, they share the excitement of discovering the world while exploring their relationship as a family.
For Ali, the Rally represents far more than a travel plan. After years navigating the demanding world of the NHS and battling burnout, this circumnavigation marks a profound moment of renewal. Though she has no previous sailing experience, and has even struggled with seasickness, her background as a medical professional has instilled in her a methodical, safety-first approach to the journey ahead.
Rather than viewing the voyage as an escape, Ali has approached the preparations as a mission: transforming Lush into a secure and familiar home for Harry while managing the unique challenges of raising a toddler at sea. “It’s a reset,” she explains, “an adventure that brings our family together and reignites the curiosity that medicine and motherhood had temporarily pushed into the background.”
For Richard, taking part in the Rally is both a personal milestone and a meaningful moment for the brand, as he immerses himself in the same global adventure that so many Oyster owners dream of undertaking, not as a businessman charting the future of his company, but as a father preparing to share the world with his family.
“It’s been my life’s dream to sail around the world and see every inch pass by. I’ve probably done enough airmiles to reach the moon and back, but whilst I’ve been all over the world, to get the context mile by mile as I sail quietly and consistently on is something that will be truly unforgettable,” he shares.
Captain & Crew Preparations
Captain White and his crew, First Mate Chris Nefdt, Chef Max Hughes, and Sole Stew Jeannine Waterston, understand that preparing for a 16-month circumnavigation, especially one carrying a two-year-old, demands thinking months ahead for every detail. At their recommendation, Lush underwent significant technical work: hauling out for comprehensive inspections, pulling the shaft, and overhauling key hydraulic components. Spares were stocked for remote passages, and communication backups were added. Yet for Captain White and his crew, no preparation is more critical or more personal than those designed for Harry’s safety at sea.
Given Harry’s “very mobile” nature, he and the crew installed safety nets around the boat to prevent falls. An AIS transponder was installed on his life jacket, and baby gates were added throughout the yacht. Ali, working alongside Captain White and Max, undertook specialized medical training to handle emergencies unique to a toddler. The crew secured a bespoke pediatric offshore medical kit tailored to Harry’s specific needs, as the standard supplies on Lush were for ages eight and up, ensuring that medical preparedness matches his age and needs.
Their care extends to the smallest considerations. Captain White notes that preparations requiring months of advance planning included even stocking a full year’s worth of sunblock. Each decision, no matter how minute it might seem, proves essential when sailing the Earth’s most remote regions. These preparations reflect more than protocol; they embody a shared commitment to making the voyage both an adventure and a secure home for Harry.
The Voyage Ahead
As January 18 approaches and the fleet prepares to depart from Antigua, Captain White looks forward to completing a feat many aspire to, but only a handful ever attain. He anticipates fishing in new seas, witnessing the Galápagos and its iconic iguanas, and swimming with whales in Tonga. Yet what he treasures most is the spontaneity of life on Lush, the sense that each day holds the promise of an unexpected adventure. “You never really know when you’re going to wake up and have an epic day on Lush, which is kind of the coolest part about it.”
The journey spans thousands of miles and dozens of locations, but aboard Lush, the true destination is already taking shape for the Hadidas: a family-centered spirit, built upon the meticulous preparations of a captain who understands that every detail–from life jackets to satellite phones to pediatric medical kits–can mean the difference between a dream and a reality.
When they finally cast off from Antigua, all aboard Lush will have ensured that nothing is left to chance. The voyage ahead is not just a circumnavigation; it is the culmination of months of rigorous preparation, an unwavering commitment to safety, and a shared belief that bluewater cruising can indeed be a safe, seamless, and deeply memorable family adventure.
To keep up with the Hadida Family and the adventures of Lush, visit www.sailinglush.com
