“If you overthink it, you will find reasons to not do it.”

Despite spending her life in a corporate career in the city, Sara Brewer, from London, has always had a thirst for adventure.  

Sara became the world record holder for being the oldest woman to row the Atlantic Ocean aged 64, and now, aged 70, she has raced a full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation of the globe whilst competing in the Clipper Race on board Team Tongyeong. 

Image: Sara and her Team Tongyeong at the Race Finish event in July

Sara, who celebrated her 70th birthday midway round the world, said: “I am lucky that I have kept myself fit. I’m not obsessed with fitness, but I have my health. Rather than looking at how many years I have left to live, I carry on doing things until I can’t.  

“If you overthink it, you will find reasons to not do it.” 

When Sir Robin Knox-Johnston founded the Clipper Race in 1995 his aim was to break down the barriers to ocean racing and allow anyone, regardless of background or ability, to experience the life-changing adventure of racing across the world’s oceans. It was this that appealed to Sara’s inner adventurer, having never sailed before signing up and completing her mandatory Clipper Race training.   

Now aged 87, and still regularly sailing his yacht Suhaili, Sir Robin embodies the race’s ethos. Speaking about Sara’s accomplishments, he said: “The spirit of adventure does not recognise human age, those who have it will keep exploring. 

“Maybe they do it out of curiosity, maybe to try yet another experience, it does not matter the motivation, these people are living life to the full and pushing the boundaries of human endeavour. We need more people like Sara in our society.  

Image: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

For Sara, who had a 51-year corporate career as the PA to the chairman of a large bank and signed up to take part after seeing the Clipper Race ads on the London Underground, it was difficult to pin an exact reason for wanting to race around the world. But as the race unfolded, the reasons became clearer. She explained:

“The older you get, the more you become siloed into a group who tend to be the same, with the same outlook, mostly about the same age, and whilst the sailing was fantastic, one of the biggest things I will take away was the diversity of people - where they're from.  

“We had such a diverse crew from a neurologist to a teacher to a tattooist. All on a boat. All of whom you have ample opportunity to chat to, and from that perspective it is so mind blowing. It opens up your view of the world and how interesting people are. You learn so much - it’s a hidden gem of the Clipper Race. 

Image: Sarah working on board her team yacht

“I have even been writing stories and poems, which is most unexpected. It put the corporate me to bed and opened up exciting new horizons.” 

With over 40,000 nautical miles of sailing now under her belt, Sara is looking forward to gaining some formal sailing qualifications - and has returned to her weekly rowing sessions on the Thames. 

Sara's advice for anyone thinking of taking on an adventure later in life? “I would say do it! If you are fit and healthy, it will make you even more fit and healthy. It's such a positive thing to do, to find new enjoyment in life and squeeze out everything you can - you'd be crazy not to.  

“For someone, it might be a challenge to walk out the front door. That doesn't matter. Just take that first step as long as you are able physically to do it.” 

Image: Sara embracing life as an ocean racer!

And on finding her limits, Sara added: “You will know when you can’t do it any longer as it’ll hurt too much!” 

Have a thirst for adventure that matches Sara’s? Or just looking for your own way to Defy Your Ordinary? Applications are now open for Clipper 2027-28 Race.