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Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive Sailing Team

Scott Shawyer

Skipper

Canada

Date of birth: 14 September 1971
Place of birth: TBC

Scott Shawyer is not a traditional offshore skipper. He didn’t grow up in the offshore sailing scene and he hasn’t sailed a Mini, a Figaro, or a Class40. His path to racing in the IMOCA Globe Series has been different - shaped by engineering, entrepreneurship, and an appetite for bold challenges.

For most of his adult life, Scott led a successful automation company, working with teams of mechanical, electrical, systems, and software engineers to solve complex problems and deliver high-performance solutions. That experience now underpins his approach to ocean racing, combining precision, planning, and resilience with a passion for adventure.

He’s been sailing since childhood and has always felt at home on the water. But it’s only in recent years that he set his sights on professional offshore competition. He’s now on a mission to lead the first Canadian team in The Ocean Race and to become the first Canadian to complete the Vendée Globe - the solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the world.

As skipper and president of Canada Ocean Racing, Scott has already broken records and reached new milestones. He holds a transatlantic course record, was the first Canadian to complete the New York Vendée race, and will now lead his team into The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, racing through six European cities. Scott's campaign is about more than competition.

Through Canada Ocean Racing’s Be Water Positive initiative and its Pathway Programme, Scott and the team are using their platform to champion solutions to global freshwater scarcity and open new doors for aspiring offshore sailors. Compete - Lead - Inspire.

Sailing highlights

  • January 2023: Scott and co-skipper Alan Roberts claim line-honours and establish a new double-handed course record for the Royal Ocean Racing Club Transatlantic Yacht Race.
  • July 2023: Launch of the Be Water Positive initiative, aligning our purpose with urgent global water issues, supported by IDRA and H2O Innovation.
  • June 2024: Scott becomes the first Canadian to complete the New York Vendée, racing 3,100 nautical miles in 14 days.
  • September 2024: the team officially launches and delivers the first Pathway Programme in Collingwood, Ontario, in support of the development of young Canadian sailors.

  • Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive Sailing Team

    Scott Shawyer

    Skipper


    Canada

  • Date of birth: 14 September 1971
    Place of birth: TBC

    Scott Shawyer is not a traditional offshore skipper. He didn’t grow up in the offshore sailing scene and he hasn’t sailed a Mini, a Figaro, or a Class40. His path to racing in the IMOCA Globe Series has been different - shaped by engineering, entrepreneurship, and an appetite for bold challenges.

    For most of his adult life, Scott led a successful automation company, working with teams of mechanical, electrical, systems, and software engineers to solve complex problems and deliver high-performance solutions. That experience now underpins his approach to ocean racing, combining precision, planning, and resilience with a passion for adventure.

    He’s been sailing since childhood and has always felt at home on the water. But it’s only in recent years that he set his sights on professional offshore competition. He’s now on a mission to lead the first Canadian team in The Ocean Race and to become the first Canadian to complete the Vendée Globe - the solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the world.

    As skipper and president of Canada Ocean Racing, Scott has already broken records and reached new milestones. He holds a transatlantic course record, was the first Canadian to complete the New York Vendée race, and will now lead his team into The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, racing through six European cities. Scott's campaign is about more than competition.

    Through Canada Ocean Racing’s Be Water Positive initiative and its Pathway Programme, Scott and the team are using their platform to champion solutions to global freshwater scarcity and open new doors for aspiring offshore sailors. Compete - Lead - Inspire.

    Sailing highlights

    • January 2023: Scott and co-skipper Alan Roberts claim line-honours and establish a new double-handed course record for the Royal Ocean Racing Club Transatlantic Yacht Race.
    • July 2023: Launch of the Be Water Positive initiative, aligning our purpose with urgent global water issues, supported by IDRA and H2O Innovation.
    • June 2024: Scott becomes the first Canadian to complete the New York Vendée, racing 3,100 nautical miles in 14 days.
    • September 2024: the team officially launches and delivers the first Pathway Programme in Collingwood, Ontario, in support of the development of young Canadian sailors.