Lincoln Dews has had many ocean adventures but now he’s preparing to embark on what could be his most daunting task yet.
The 25-year-old from Buderim is a renowned paddler, surfer, foiler, fisher, life guard and sailor. He has won two stand-up paddleboard world titles, crossed the Molokai channel seven times and been in the world’s richest ironman race.
Now, he’s poised to compete in a new and ultra-tough division of the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Lincoln will combine with fellow Sunshine Coaster Andrew Scott in the inaugural two-handed competition, which limits crews to two.
They’re set to sail on a 32ft Sun Fast 3200 named Hells Bells, which is owned by his father Geoff Dews.
It could take several days to get to Hobart – if they make it that far.
“It’s going to be a physically and mentally draining race,” Lincoln said.
“But being the first two-handed race, it’s exciting.”
Lincoln has competed in the Bluewater Classic twice before, but with large crews and on boats exceeding 45ft.
“In the years I’ve gone down, we’ve got to Hobart before the southerly winds (kick in),” he said.
“It’s scary watching the little boats come in a day or two later, so to be on a smaller boat this time and with just two of us, it’s quite daunting.
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“It’s a different picture when you’re contemplating taking four days to get there, and all the logistics of it.”
He’s glad to have Scott aboard.
The 59-year-old has competed in the race on more than 10 occasions, winning handicap honours with Wild Rose in 2014.
“I think the most important thing is we get along really well on the boat,” Lincoln said.
“We work very well together, and that’s probably more important than anything in these boats.
“You have to sail well with your crew-mate and know how the other person sails and be ready to deal with any situation together.”
Lincoln is determined to win the division, among 24 entries.
“I’m pretty competitive at everything. I always love a challenge and I love to push myself,” he said.
“Everyone expects tight racing. They’re similar boats and while we’re going to take double the time it takes the big boats to get there, the racing is going to be equally intense.
“We’re aware of the challenges just to get the boat on the start line and then to get the boat to Hobart, healthy and safe.
“It’s quite a big process and we’re very focused on it at the moment but we’re also going to try and give it a crack and push the boat as hard as we can and make all the right tactical decisions.”
The lead-up races haven’t been kind.
Lincoln combined with renowned sailor Liz Wardley in a recent qualification race near Brisbane, but they were forced to withdraw with communications issues.
So the boat has entered but not yet qualified for the Sydney to Hobart.
Lincoln and Andrew will take part in another qualification race from Brisbane to Double Island Point and back, on December 3.
They need to complete a race to automatically qualify.
“We’re pretty comfortable with how the boat performs and how our set-up is,” Lincoln said.
“It’s ready for heavy conditions that we’re going to expect going south.”
Lincoln will have his father in mind while competing in this year’s race.
Geoff has completed about a dozen Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races and raced around the world.
“Mum and dad actually met while yacht racing,” Lincoln said.
“So, it’s been a family thing.
“It would have been nice to do this race with dad actually.”
Geoff was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about four years ago, and Lincoln and Andrew’s quest will raise funds for charity ShakeItUp and research into Parkinson’s disease.
Meanwhile, Geoff will cheer them on from afar.
“He’s still very much involved in sailing, whether he’s on the water or running the shore crew and making sure our navigation stuff is right,” Lincoln said.
They will depart for Sydney in early December, to make sure the boat is fully prepared before the race, which starts on December 26.
“It’s going to be a pretty brutal race – physically demanding,” Lincoln said.
“Normally, sailors rotate in three-hour watches, but in two-handed sailing, you’re doing solo watches and you might only be sleeping for 30 minutes at a time.
“It will be a physical few days, and we need to look after our bodies, because we’ll be pushing the boat as hard as we can when we’re on deck.”
The race represents one of many challenges Lincoln is lining up for.
He expected to travel overseas, if restrictions ease, to compete in stand-up paddle-board events next year.
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He also has one eye on a massive test in 2023.
“I’ve got an exciting project with Chris Cleghorn, who I met during some charity work for Parkinson’s disease awareness,” he said.
“Chris is an experienced offshore rower and I’m going to join him with a row across the Indian Ocean in 2023.
“Once we do the Hobart race and everything kind of settles that’s the next goal, in 12 months’ time, to try to row across the Indian Ocean, with Chris and his crew.”
Their aim is to cross the 10,000km expanse with a crew including Lincoln, Chris, a researcher, and someone with early onset Parkinson’s.
“We’re going to try and break the four-person Indian Ocean record, which is 60-odd days,” Lincoln said.
“When I say it out aloud it sounds like a great idea, until you actually look at the logistics of it all.
“It’s exciting but it’s one thing at a time. I’ll get through the yacht racing stuff and then look forward.”
