Here’s the set up: you’re in you’re 30’s. An ex Peace Corps volunteer. You’ve biked from San Diego to New Jersey. The picture of health! Then…you have a stroke. Unfortunately in January of 2002, Les Bissel became part of this statistic: 1/3rd of strokes are suffered by those under 65.

Les Bissel

Bissel has literally come back from his stroke and will now attempt another long distance voyage, this time by sail on water rathern than on land by bike. He began sailing 4 months after his stroke and this April he will began an around the world voyage to spread the word of stroke awareness and prevention.

He’ll tackle this voyage on Hope his Newport 28. Sailing this durable, but not speedy cruiser, Bissel will have plenty of time to help people learn about strokes. Bissel is taking preperations seriously. There must be few other Newport 28’s with Vectran backstays! He will not sail solo, with Brian Murphy serving as his crew.

Hope

Hope will sail via the Panama Canal. Along the way Les will stop in Somoa, where he served in the Peace Corps. During periods like Hurricane Season Bissel plans to take jobs to earn money and continue his informational voyage.

Sailing around the world has been done before. I can’t imagaine that many voyages have been undertaken with better motives.

We’ll continue to follow Les as he attempts to succeed on and off the water.

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