Adventure With Purpose: Become a Mission Partner for Penny’s eXXpedition Antarctica

Hi, I’m Penny — a professional sailor based in Canada, and the founder of Sail Nelson, a sailing school I built from the ground up. Life on the water isn’t just my career, it’s how I connect with the world. I’m also a wife, a mom, a mentor, and someone who deeply believes in empowering others—especially women—to step outside their comfort zones and into something bigger.

That’s why being selected for eXXpedition Antarctica means so much to me. eXXpedition helps people truly connect with the plastic crisis and discover their unique role in tackling it.

Out of thousands of applicants, I’ve been chosen to join an all-women crew sailing from Puerto Williams, Chile to Antarctica on a 22-day scientific research mission focused on microplastics in our oceans. This isn’t just another sailing trip—it’s a rare opportunity to combine my lifelong experience at sea with meaningful environmental work alongside scientists, storytellers, and changemakers from around the world.

eXXpedition is a UK-based non-profit that has spent over 13 years leading all-women sailing voyages dedicated to ocean research and raising awareness about plastic pollution. Their work is about more than data—it’s about connection, education, and inspiring real change. Being part of this mission allows me to contribute to something much larger than myself, and to bring that knowledge back to my community and the people I teach.

This journey will take us over 2,300 nautical miles across the open ocean, including crossing the infamous Drake Passage—where the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans meet. It’s one of the most challenging and unpredictable stretches of water in the world. I’ll be setting sail on November 28, 2026.

Participation in eXXpedition is entirely self-funded, which is why I’m asking for your support. The total cost of joining the voyage is approximately $40,000—this includes $33,000 for my place on the ship (covering essentials like food, safety, and insurance), then $7,000 to cover additional travel, international medical insurance and accommodation expenses before and after the expedition. Your contribution will directly help make this journey possible and support the vital research being done on ocean plastics.

For me, this is about more than one eXXpedition. It’s about representing women in sailing, advancing ocean conservation, and bringing these stories and lessons home—to my students, my children, and my community.

I’ll be sharing the journey (as connectivity allows) on LinkedIn, Instagram (@sailnelsonbc), Facebook, and Patreon so you can follow along every step of the way.

If you’re able to donate, share, or simply cheer me on—thank you. It truly means more than you know.

— Penny

Thank you to my supporters!

  • Things I’m learning about Antarctica…

Donation Tier Rewards

$100 – Supporter Tier

Here’s what you get:

  • Personalized thank-you email with a photo from the expedition
  • Name listed on a public “Supporters” page
  • Access to a private update newsletter during the journey (stories, photos, behind-the-scenes)
  • Digital postcard from Antarctica

$250 – Crewmate Tier

Everything in $100 tier, plus:

  • Handwritten thank-you note mailed after the trip
  • Exclusive short video update recorded onboard (not shared publicly)
  • Your name written on a piece of my gear – Sail With Me!
  • Invitation to a post-expedition virtual talk/Q&A

$500 – Expedition Insider Tier

Everything in previous tiers, plus:

  • A small physical item from the journey (e.g., a printed photo, map with route marked, or expedition journal excerpt)
  • Personalized shoutout or mention during the expedition (video or social post)
  • Early access to a full expedition recap (before public release)
  • Option to submit a question/topic that I’ll answer from Antarctica

$2,500 – Expedition Partner Tier

Everything above, plus:

  • One-on-one virtual call after the expedition (storytelling + Q&A)
  • Your name featured prominently on expedition materials/content (e.g., “This journey supported by…”)
  • A signed, high-quality print/photo from Antarctica
  • Opportunity to dedicate part of the journey (e.g., a day, a wildlife sighting, or a research moment “in your honor”)
  • Invitation to an in-person, or premium virtual, presentation

$10,000+ – Gold Expedition Patron

Includes everything from previous tiers, plus:

  • Dedicated Story Feature
    A full post highlighting your support and why you backed the mission
  • Name on Expedition Legacy Piece
    Included on a permanent or commemorative item (e.g., expedition flag, map, or final report)
  • Private Expedition Debrief
    A personalized 1:1 presentation after the journey (can be for you, your family, or team)
  • Custom Antarctica Content
    A personalized video or photo message created specifically for you in Antarctica (e.g., message from the deck, wildlife moment, etc.)
  • Signed Premium Print Set
    A curated set of high-quality prints, signed and numbered
  • Early + Exclusive Access to Full Media
    First access to all major content (photos, video, insights), before public release
  • “Day of the Expedition” Dedication
    One full day of the journey dedicated to you

Donations can be made by Email Transfer or through my GoFundMe campaign.