Megan counts sailing out of Sydney Heads on a blustery day as one of the most exciting things she has ever done – the exhilaration, the sense of adventure and the absolute faith put in a much, much more knowledgeable sailor stays with her still.

Though mostly a twilight sailor on the harbour with a few offshore jaunts to inspire her, she appreciates the pull – and skill – of ocean racing, recognises the unmistakeable trust that forms between those on board over time, and treasures the inexplicable and unforgettable poetry and peace that the ocean imparts (while being ever respectful of its power).

All this makes a nice change from her desk job as an editor, which embarrassingly, also gives her great pleasure. Yes, she says, dotting i’s and crossing t’s is strangely satisfying, but above all, it’s the thrill of publishing – bringing together the expertise of a wide range of people, refining ideas and concepts, and creating a polished, cohesive publication – in print or online – that drives her.

She often jokes it’s a bit like gathering the wind, and it’s something she’s made a career of since the internet was just a baby, books were big business and wfh was just business as usual. Over this time, she has spent stints with major organisations and publishers, most notably the ABC, but also balances the commercial with the not-for-profit, volunteering her skills for good.

Who knew, as a young arts graduate, that following what you were interested in would lead to such a varied and interesting career – and you could vicariously enjoy the sailing world from your desk.

Belinda Aucott is a journalist with a passion for sailing. During her career she has written about architecture, design, fashion, ocean sports and luxury travel for publications as diverse as; Fashion Wire Daily, GQ, habitus, OffShore, Oyster, Men’s Style and Robb Report ANZ.

Work has taken her to Tokyo, London, Paris and Milan, where she has had the pleasure of interviewing such luminaries as; Alain de Botton, David Lynch, Tadao Ando, Marc Newson and Philippe Starck.  When she is not working, Belinda loves to explore new cultures through art and food. In her new role she welcomes the opportunity to explore the spirit of sailing and her love of all things marine.

Charlotte has been a passionate sailor since before she could walk and has subsequently faced the horrors of a naval architecture degree and such dubious delights as racing through the Southern Ocean.

Her highlights, however, have all involved superyachts, exotic locations and a plentiful supply of rum.

A former editor of Boat International magazine, she is an experienced journalist, photojournalist, editor and agency creative specialising in the travel, technology, yachting and luxury lifestyle sectors.

“Simplicity is key. When a design looks like it’s been designed, it’s not good design,” says our Canadian expat, who chose Australia after too many dark, dreary winters took their toll.

Having art directed three large national magazines, Stephen was brought out to design ‘Australia’s leading men’s magazine’, where he continued his run of international design awards.

For many years he ran his own successful branding design business, where clients ranged from large multinationals right down to the corner coffee shop. When the opportunity arose to work on Ocean and Sails magazines, and redesign The Great Southern Route (GSR), he recognised the opportunity to reignite his passion for editorial design.

At Ocean Media, Stephen enjoys working with some of the most talented photographers and illustrators in the world. He says, “I realised a long time ago you brief creatives with what you require and then leave them alone. They invariably come back with something that is far better than what you originally envisioned.

“Working on titles that revolve entirely around water is a wonderful, daily challenge. I couldn’t swim a stroke when I first moved here. I can now.”

Mia Shukri is a creative digital marketer with experience across luxury media, publishing, and advertising. Currently driving brand growth and digital strategy at Ocean Media, publishers of Ocean Magazine, Sails, and The Great Southern Route. With a strong foundation in content creation, digital campaigns, and social media marketing, Mia specialises in connecting premium brands with discerning audiences.