Jazz Turner, 26, para-athlete and pioneering sailor, has officially made history as the first disabled person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the British Isles.
Setting off from Brighton on 2nd June, Jazz completed her epic voyage four weeks later on 30th June, aboard Fear, her specially adapted 27-foot yacht. The journey—part of her mission, Project Fear—saw her cover over 2,000 nautical miles entirely alone, managing navigation, health care, and mechanical maintenance without assistance, not even from her seizure-alert dog, Phoebe.
Jazz Turner on a journey of defiance and independence
Jazz lives with a complex form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a degenerative condition that prevents her from bearing weight on her legs, causes joint dislocations, and results in gastrointestinal failure, severe allergies, and frequent infections. In December 2023, she chose to stop invasive treatments and was given a life expectancy of six months to two years.
Despite this, she embarked on the ultimate challenge. She said: “It’s only on the water that I feel I have real independence.”
Watch Jazz in action on the water
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For 28 days at sea, Jazz navigated more than 2,070 nautical miles completely alone aboard her adapted yacht, Fear. She faced a wide range of weather conditions, from calm seas to heavy winds, while managing complex medical needs without assistance.
One of the highlights of her journey was reaching the Scottish coastline, an emotional milestone that Jazz described with joy and pride, calling it a moment where she truly felt the scale and significance of what she was achieving.
Near the end of the voyage, she ran aground off the coast of Folkestone, but refusing outside help, Jazz successfully refloated the yacht herself, preserving the unassisted nature of her record. Her ability to remain calm, resourceful, and resilient under pressure epitomised the spirit of Project Fear.
Her accomplishment was not just about personal triumph, it was a statement of autonomy, resilience, and the potential of disabled people when given the right support and equipment.
Fundraising for inclusive sailing
At the heart of Jazz’s mission was a goal to raise money for Sailability, a national charity that provides adaptive sailing equipment and opportunities for disabled people. Her campaign emphasises that when people are given access to the right tools, environments, and beliefs, they can achieve extraordinary things.
“This isn’t just about me,” Jazz shared. “It’s about opening doors for others. I want more disabled people to experience the independence and joy that sailing brings.”
Her fundraising efforts have been outstanding. While her initial goal was £30,000, she surpassed this target, raising almost £54,000 to support adaptive sailing initiatives
From homeless teen to record-setting sailor
Jazz’s story is one of grit and transformation. She taught herself to sail at 13, built her first boat at 14, and spent her teenage years largely homeless. With support from foster carers and the sailing community, she later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Sussex. Now a qualified sailing instructor and para-athlete, she continues to break barriers in sport and life.
For Jazz, FEAR stands for Forget Everything And Rise – a motto she has embodied in every mile of her historic voyage.
You can find out more about Jazz’s voyage by visiting projectfear.uk and following Jazz Turner on Instagram. You can also donate on Jazz’s GoFundMe page.