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sneak peak

4 x Sneak peak into
"Zero to Ocean Nomad"

Zero to ocean Nomad guides you from a beginner to a knowledgeable crew member ready to actively participate in adventures at sea worldwide. All within a supportive community.

A brief intro into travelling by sail as crew

module 1: Get started now. Mindset and values

In this module🎥:

 

  • Introduction to Sailboat Travel

  • Why Travel by Sail? 5 Obvious Reasons + My Favourite Reason

  • Why Travel by Sail? 5 Unexpected Benefits

  • My Sailboat Travel Journey

  • Overcome Obstacles, Break the Barriers & Sail Your Dreams

  • No Big Budget? No Worries!

  • Determination, Proactivity & Freeing Up Time

  • No Sailing Experience? No Worries!

  • Conquering the Fears with These 2 Questions

  • How to Afford Long-Term Nomadlife. My approach and tricks.

Learn More

How to find a sailboat ride online?

module 4: find a sailboat ride

In this module🎥:
  • Where to find a boat? Pro and Cons of 3 common methods
  • Find a boat in your Network
  • Finding a boat on the internet + list of websites to find sailing opportunities
  • How to find a sailboat ride through Ocean Nomads?
  • Dockwalking What is it and how to go about it?
  • Tips on navigating harbours and marina’s to find a boat
  • What to put in your Crew Profile? + Crew Poster Template
  • How to stand out without sailing experience + Boost your reach
  • Which qualifications and certifications are useful? Do you really need that? 
  • Personal features that help you stand out
  • Finding a sailboat ride with your dog + Considerations
  • Solo female travel as crew
  • One more important thing about the internet
  • Finding a boat is the easy part
  • A List of Sailing Regattas, Rallies, and Events popular amongst liveaboards / cruisers
Join Zero to Ocean Nomad

These are red flags

module 5: Safety and happiness check

In this Module🎥:

  • Stay safe. If you only watch one video, it’s this one! + Story: How Not to Catch a Ride

  • Three-Step Boat & Captain Assessment + Checklists

  • Find the Best Boat

  • 5 Red Flags to Be Mindful Of

  • 5 Green Flags: Good Indicators of a Happy & Safe Boat Match

  • Expectations & Agreements to Make + Checklist

  • What Else to Expect as Crew?

Join Zero to Ocean Nomad

‘SOMEDAY’ I TRAVEL THE WORLD BY SAILBOAT, starts today

Social media post expressing gratitude for support in pursuing sailing dreams and acquiring a sailboat through a Mini Course.

Sailing lesson by Andy

module 6: Prepare and practicalties

In this module🎥:

  • What to pack? Packing lists

  • Could you pull that ‘thinghy’? About Sailing Terminology

  • Learning about Weather + List of Resources

  • Learning Sailorish: The Language of the Sea

  • Tacking, Jibing, and Getting Your Bearings: Sailorish in Action

  • Points of Sail, Wind Forces & How We Actually Move

  • Knots Every Crew Must Know

  • Sailing Safety Basics Every Crew Must Know

  • Safety and Survival skills at sea

  • How I prepare to stay healthy

  • Small actions for a healthier ocean through packing

  • Getting nuts with knots

  • Sailing Glossary, Measurements & Abbreviations

  • What to tell mum?

  • Staying Connected

  • Pre-departure research & arrangements

Join Zero to Ocean Nomad

+55 more videos, checklists and tools inside Zero to ocean nomad

YOUR compass TO
your first week of ocean
NOMAD LIFE
BY SAIL. THis year!

Instagram comment by paula_mata praising Suzz's work and ongoing course on raising awareness about the importance of healthy oceans, how to travel by sail as crew, with blue heart and clapping hands emojis.

myth busting

Myth: You need to have sailing experience

Knowing or learning how to sail is only a little part of traveling by sailboat and the sailboat lifestyle. There is so much to it  and there’s so many skills that are important to have or learn on a sailing boat. But most important is your attitude! Sailing skills are only about 10% of liveaboard life, and to be learned on board through doing. In this resource bundle, we help you prepare for the other 90% of skills and knowledge relevant when wanting to travel countries by sail, whether you’re a newbie, or can already sail.

Myth: You need to have a lot of time

The time you need for a sailing adventure depends on the nature and length of the trip. Afterall, the weather rules. But you can also opt for day, weekend or a week sail somewhere near you. You do need to have quiet some time if you own a boat. After all, a boat needs maintenance. Even if you don’t have time now, you can anticipate and start the excitement and preparation going through the buffet of videos and tips designed to maximise learning in minimal time, to be aware what it’s all about, to build your foundation, and to have you ready when the time comes you step out of the door. By sailing as crew, you can start with this course and save lots of time avoiding the cost of error comitting to unsafe boats and unqualified captains.

Myth: You need to be rich to sail

That’s what I always thought. Until I discovered and experienced travelling as crew. Crewing: a cost effective and quicker to realize alternative to owning a boat. This course is a super tiny investment compared to what owning a boat costs, or the costs some make after committing to the wrong boat. Avoid costly mistakes and open doors of opportunity, giving you a return of investment beyond just doing this course. You don’t need to be rich in money, but will become rich in memorable moments and beautiful connections with people and nature.
A social media post by Janneke Dijkhuis recommending ocean nomads and her transformative sailing experience inspired by Suzanne, now promoting a Sailboat Travel Mini Course.
Yes! Let's sail the world

Sailing as crew is the fastest and most affordable way to experience sailinglife,
But there are things to be mindful of...

I consider myself a reasonably well travelled person but until now I had never even considered sailing as a means of travel! Suzanne has changed my perspective. It now feels possible, achievable and a very real prospect. But there is more to this than just sailing. And this is what makes Suzanne stand out from the rest. There is purpose behind it and one that I am now inspired to learn more about.
John Clarke, UK

Jump on board this course to:

  1. Navigate the seas with confidence and develop practical skills for life at sea.
  2. Be ocean adventure ready, safe, prepared and aware
  3. Pack and prepare smartly for comfort and impact
  4. Forge deep connections, and get personalized support and advice from the global eco-minded sailing adventure community
  5. Know where and how to find a relevant and safe boat match and be welcomed on board through your self-presentation.
  6. Embark on transformative sailing adventures around the world and embrace a newfound freedom and independence
  7. Achieve personal growth  and cultivate a resilient mindset through ocean exploration
  8. Learn valuable resourceful competencies beyond sailing.
  9. Discover remote travel destinations, and diverse cultures, and give back
  10. Embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle at sea and contribute to marine conservation. Give purpose to your travel.
  11. Get connected to people living the lifestyle in line with your values
And lots more to start and accelerate your ocean nomads lifestyle with adventure, impact and community.

Save time, money, situations and start realizing your ocean sailing dreams

Explore the Summer Special

If not now, then when?

Hi! I'm Suzy!
Your mentor

Full time Adventurer & ambassador of living wth nature

Author of Ocean Nomad & Founder of Ocean Nomads

A woman standing in front of a camera in the jungle, giving a little update.
Two women on a boat.
a woman holding up an ocean nomad book.
A woman traveling by sail on a boat.

I went from ZERO, to sailing +40.000 Nautical miles, on +50 boats as crew (and later captain), travelling on sailboats in +25 countries and every continent. Now I love to help you do the same! And safe.

Hi My name is Suzanne and it’s a pleasure to meet you! Pretty much my whole adult life (Guess how many years is that;)), I’ve been living a minimalistic nomadic life in, on and near the sea. 8 years ago I started getting into sailing, having no idea about it. Only an extreme curousity and drive to explore. I thought sailing was for rich people or people growing up sailing.

 

 Now, I sailed in every continent and as amateur crew, professional crew, captain, boat caretaker, and expedition organizer. I experienced the different ways of sailboat travel. And how and how not to travel on boats to make it rewarding. In this course I share about what I learned over all these years (+ocean nomads share their stories). To help you get you out there, in a happy, safe, and meaningful way. And not too far from today!

 

 My drive is to connect you to the ocean, with adventure, impact and community. I believe experience is the greatest teacher. Thousands have read my book, hundreds have sailed with me and joined the Ocean Community. With this toolkit, I aim to support more ocean adventurers discovering sailboat travel in a responsible way in tune with nature. I look forward to support you on this journey.

a smiling woman wearing a white shirt and yellow circle.

The image contains a text with various spelling and grammatical mistakes, praising Suzanne for her inspirational qualities and accomplishments in sailboat travel.

Media features

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"In the hitch-sailing world, Van der Veeken has become something of a guru"
CNN
"Her passion for conservation and sustainability offers insight into a ‘vagabond’ lifestyle that is also socially responsible.”
Yachting World
A sailing magazine featuring a picture of a woman and a man on a boat.
A sailing crew on a sailboat with the words Portuguese national TV.
A woman from a sailing crew enjoying relaxation in a hammock while using her laptop.
Welcome to Virgin.com, a hub for sailing enthusiasts and crew members.

Why learn from Suzy

  • Founder Ocean Nomads 
  • Author of Ocean Nomad (+2500 Copies sold) 
  • YachtMaster Offshore Sailboat Captain (Qualified skippering up to 24 meter Sailboats)
  •  + 40.000 Nautical Miles Sailed as crew on +50 different Boats in +30 Countries, in every Continent
  •  5 Atlantic Crossings 
  • + 15 years of Nomadlife (& counting) 
  • + 55 countries travelled & 10 lived (more than 3 months) 
  • +15 always sold out sailing trips & expeditions organized, including Offshore trips. 
  • Student of Ayurveda: the Science of Life in tune with nature 
  • Started from 0 in sailing as an ‘Adult ;)’.
  •  Ambassador for Natural Living
A social media recommendation post where the user expresses appreciation for ocean nomads, recounting a positive personal experience with the Sailboat Travel Mini Course and the impact of the community on their life.
"She's the spark that will ignite your sense of adventure and provoke your compassion to create a better world.” -
Monique Mills (Sailboat Captain & Owner)
"Suzanne is extremely knowledgable and experienced in all things sailing. She lives her passion to save the ocean everyday. I know this because I sailed with her where she demonstrated what it means to live a truly sustainable lifestyle that has positive effects towards cleaning up our ocean. Her generosity and enthusiasm is infectious as she provides me with the best advice for helping me in my sailing journey. I will be forever grateful to have met and learnt with this amazing human."

- Annah | From Zero to World Sailor and Boat owner
"The ultimate resource for anyone thinking about sailboat travel but not having any idea where to start or what to expect."
- Josie
"As someone who's grown up in the mountains, I have always dreamed of what life on the ocean would be like. Suzanne's gives a taste of it and a lot of inspiration. Not just to sail, but to live life on my terms and follow my passions!"
Kyle
"A unique opportunity to gain honest and valuable insights learning from Suzy’s life and travel experience." - Jonatan
"I often talk to people about sailing in one way or another, and usually there is a moment when I talk about my first sailing experiences and this is when I tell people about you. About your super calm and chill skills to lead a team of perfect strangers to navigate a boat for a week! And that you greatly inspired me and planted that idea of calm stress free sailing into my head." - Patrick

Explore the ocean nomadic lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.

She’s turned hitching rides on boats from a sketchy endeavor to graceful art. Do as she says. She is the doyenne of sailboat hitchhikers!
Cliff Lyon
Sailboat Captain & Owner
"Having sailed with Suzanne from France to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and St Lucia I have seen how enthusiastic and committed to her mission she is. Having read her book now, I can sense the enthusiasm coming out at me from the pages and feel that her book is an inspiration and fantastic guide on hitch sailing and ocean preservation. It should be on every yacht out there at sea.” – Steve Green
"This girl puts inexhaustible energy into getting us out on adventures and save our beautiful big blue along the way. She really knows what she talks about. Supporting the Suzy and Ocean Nomads won't only benefit yourself, but truly has a positive impact on the future of all of us!" - Pim (Sailboat hitchhiked around the world)
"A huge value bomb that makes even the stiffest armchair traveler want to get up, hitch a ride, and cross the ocean. It also does a great job in creating awareness of the grave state the oceans are in, and of the huge impact we can make – if only we choose to." - Jordan Smith
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