Sally Kettle
First woman to row the Atlantic Ocean twice from East to West
*Fees are a guide only. Exact cost will be dependent on requirements and are subject to change.
About Sally Kettle
Sally Kettle’s book, Odd at Sea (Orana, 2007), is her autobiography detailing the ocean journeys and the motivations behind them. It’s an honest account of her struggles to bring the teams together, and of the difficulties faced when living in a boat smaller than the average bathroom. She has since had further adventures and is a popular female speaker, addressing national and international audiences.
Sally founded Rowgirls in 2005, an all-female rowing team determined to achieve a Guinness World Record for the fastest Atlantic crossing ever. Throughout the journey, one crewmate left the boat, a rudder was lost in the worst conditions in 200 years, and the boat was attacked by a shark. Unbelievably, Sally and her crew completed the challenge and became the first crew of three to ever complete the trip.
Sally Kettle, ever the adventurer, took part in the last leg of the World Clipper race in May 2010. She retraced WW2 heroine Nancy Wake’s footprints across the harsh Pyrenees with former Olympic swimmer Suzanne Dando and seven other women to honour her contribution and raised funds for the Legion. Her speeches are both hilarious and informative, and evoke a whole range of emotions, and her account of rough seas, wild storms, harsh living and encounters with sharks is delivered in stupendous style.
Sally writes and presents pieces for BBC Radio 4, including “Does Hope Help?” for FourThought and “Jonathan the Tortoise – Operation Go Slow” – for From our Own Correspondent. She recently returned from a six-week filming trip to the British Dependencies in the South Atlantic for the television documentary “The Last Horizon” – currently in post-production.
All of Sally’s adventures have included the opportunity to raise money for charitable causes. She has pulled together more than £500,000. In 2010 she sailed across the North Atlantic aboard a 68ft racing yacht for The Children’s Trust, of which she is now Honorary Vice President. She also trekked across the Pyrenees with British gymnast Suzanne Dando and a team of women representing the Armed Forces. They raised money for The Royal British Legion. Sally delivers international humanitarian aid on behalf of the NGO Shelterbox, is a Trustee of The London Sports Trust and an Ambassador for Girl Guiding.
Client Feedback
"Sally presented to our young equestrian athletes on one of our talent programme at their recent induction day. Her animated and entertaining presentation hit some key message for us with the young athletes in the room, particularly around the need to control what is in your control and rise to a challenge rather than see a barrier. She kept everyone engaged throughout with her story of adventure and certainly would be someone that I can recommend to inspire others to realise their goals and reach their potential"
David Hamer - British Equestrian Federation
"Sally’s presentation was extremely well received. Quite a few of the students, who were all Sixth Formers, were heard to say that it was the best talk they had heard this year (and they have had six). I think that the girls in particular could really relate to what they heard and indeed a group of them spent quite a while chatting to Sally afterwards and asked to be kept in touch with her future projects. She arrived in such good time and was generous with her time, staying to chat afterwards"
Alicia Houghton, Marketing Manager, Bethany School
"I recently invited Sally to attend a corporate networking event in Newcastle. Speaking in front of some of the most high profile business men and women is no mean feat but after listening to Sally’s story, fear is not a factor to her. Sally spoke with such passion and enthusiasm that everyone in the room was left thinking “what can I do differently."
Mussel Club - Business Networking Event
"'Sally delivers a fantastic presentation which leaves you wanting more (fortunately she has more in her excellent book!) I can only speak in the highest regard for Sally Kettle as a public speaker and would recommend her to anyone looking to motivate a group of people old or young.'"
Geoff Bowman, St James's Place
