Meet Woody and Irenka

We’re a couple of adventurous parents who first met in 2004 while working as yacht trainers and flotilla skippers in the Mediterranean. In 2005 we opened an RYA Sail Training Centre in the UK then in 2017 set sail around the world onboard our sailboat - SV Mothership - with our three kids. Read more about our family life at sea here: Mothership Bio

In 2025 we completed our circumnavigation, sailing approximately 40,000nm and visiting over 40 countries and territories. We have now condensed that experience and knowledge into a membership and mentorship program through Patreon to help other adventurous parents plan their own incredible journey with confidence.

Woody. Man driving RIB tender in lifejacket in Gozo, Malta

Irenka

Mentor

Prior to assuming the roles of mother and joint skipper on S/V Mothership, Irenka amassed travel and work experience across the world, particularly in Asia. Her professional journey also led her to work as a movement therapist in UK prisons and hospitals before pivoting her carrier towards sailing.

Irenka boasts an impressive sailing resume, including lifeguard Coxswain, RNLI Rescue Crew, Flotilla Skipper, Trainer, and RYA Training Centre Principal.

She currently manages the Mothership Adrift Youtube channel and other social media platforms.

Beyond sailing expertise, her mentoring skills cover psychological and emotional support, focusing on the female experience and family-oriented cruising.

Woody

Mentor

Woody's diverse professional background spans roles such as computer games artist, interior designer, graphics lecturer and furniture maker before his career path led him to yacht training and skippering.

Like Irenka, Woody brings a wealth of sailing expertise, holding certifications such as RYA Keelboat Chief Instructor, Advanced Powerboat Instructor, VHF Instructor, Diesel Engine Maintenance Instructor, Flotilla Skipper and yacht trainer, as well as crewing onboard a whale research vessel in the Indian Ocean.

Woody also manages the Mothership Maintenance Youtube channel offering valuable insights into sailboat maintenance for fellow skippers and is working on a book - a guide for parents hoping to live at sea with their family.

Mothership in the Media

The crew of S/V Mothership have been featured on National TV, main stream media, travelling and sailing books as well as featuring in documentaries such as Amazon Prime’s, Adventure In Wonder. Consistently creating FREE content for social media about life at sea they are now completing a guide on living on the ocean as a family.

Click on the video below to see our winning entry for Yachting Monthly’s, Brian Black Memorial Award.

“Their fun, informative and emotional video captures the joy of encountering wildlife at sea, and the pressures faced by different ecosystems around the globe, with a message of urgency, and hope for this and future generations”

- Theo Stocker. Editor. Yachting Monthly

Family and Crew on sailboat S/V Mothership sailing around the world highlighting environmental problems and joining in with conservation efforts and organisations.