Ruth Boydell left her North Shore home at age seventeen to find adventure on the open ocean. She sailed halfway around the world with her first skipper and later a similarly lengthy and sometimes solo voyage on her own small sailboat.

Ruth continued her adventure in Newcastle, where she taught sailing, seamanship and navigation at TAFE. Now in her sixties she helps others plan and navigate the end of life as a death doula and educator. 

While she found her spirit and her strengths and followed her dreams it was not all smooth sailing. Heavy weather, health challenges, loneliness and relationship and life lessons were part of her journey. 

How did this young woman from the comfortable suburbs of Sydney become a solo sailor, crossing oceans in her own small craft?

Ruth shares her explorations, pains and losses in this tale that looks at her life through the lens of three voyages. But this is not only a sailing story, it is a story of personal growth and relationship, of loss and courage. 

Ruth Boydell is a sailor, educator, and end of life doula. She finished high school and took off on an adventure, sailing across oceans on several small boats. Ruth returned to Australia to teach sailing and maritime studies for many years and when a sudden health challenge caused her to rethink her career, she became a death doula. 

Ruth wrote her book at Nobbys Lighthouse, Newcastle. 

Copies will be available to purchase at the venue. $25 pb $54 hb
Contact Ruth on  0411 165 914 ruth.boydell@gmail.com
Conversation with Richard Fidler 2011