We can’t control the elements; we have to let the waves wash over us. Sailing beneath blue skies and over rolling waves has a meditative quality. The vastness of an infinite ocean of blue can be overwhelming. Water humbles and empowers all at once—a conversation between submitting and belonging, surrendering to the wild pulse of unpredictability that never ceases to enchant.

Where there is water, there are heroes; iconic figures who have conquered its force. American swimmer Gertrude Ederle is one such figure to Roelfien, who, as a teenager, competed nationally, specialising in the freestyle and butterfly strokes. ‘Dubbed ‘queen of the waves’, Ederle was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. It took her 14 hours and 34 minutes, faster than the five previous successful crossings, all by men. This was in 1926, a time when women faced severe restrictions, even being barred from training facilities due to modesty rules. Denied opportunities, she forged her own path, overcoming sabotage and a near-death experience to achieve her goal. Her determination and resilience make her story unforgettable: a powerful symbol of courage, persistence, and quiet rebellion. It’s important we remember these stories.’