A KISS of confidence for a family at sea
by Melissa Warren / ORCV media 18 Sep 23:24 PDT
Kim and Duncan pretending to surf past Nazare, famous amidst surfers & known for its 100m waves © Kim Lawler
How one ORCV training course turned nerves apprehension into know-how and helped Kim Lawler steer her family through their first big adventure.
When Kim Lawler walked into the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) KISS (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy) program in 2023, she joined with one goal, build the confidence to take her family offshore.
At that point, Kim and her partner Duncan had already committed to an adventure many only dream of. They had purchased a brand-new 42-foot Fontaine Pajot Astera catamaran called Satellite in France with the goal of sailing Europe's coasts whilst waiting to do the Atlantic Crossing in December and bring her home to charter in Australia. With their 12-year-old daughter in tow, they were about to swap routine life for 18 months at sea.
But Kim knew that before crossing notorious passages like the Bay of Biscay, she needed to sharpen her skills and strengthen her courage. That's where KISS came in.
Training Without the Intimidation
KISS is built on the idea that anyone can become a capable keelboat sailor with the right guidance, structure, and support. Designed as a welcoming, women-led pathway, the program gives beginners practical skills in a supportive team environment. For Kim, the program provided more than knowledge — it delivered the mindset to tackle the unknown and provided a community of likeminded sailors that offered generous support and shared inspirational stories of their own incredible adventures at sea.
"KISS felt approachable and practical. I wasn't intimidated walking in. Whilst I had experience of life on the water, it gave me the seamanship, navigation, weather awareness, and safety foundations that set me up for everything that came later."
She completed the KISS program and then since completed some additional ORCV training — Safety & Sea Survival, weather courses, and radio qualifications — giving her the confidence to step onto her catamaran in La Rochelle ready to begin the journey of a lifetime.
Covid brought around life-changing decisions
The idea of a family sailing adventure had been building for years. Kim had spent her twenties working and living on boats in the Kimberley, falling in love with life afloat. Duncan had grown up sailing in Melbourne, confident on the water. Together, they dreamed of cruising, exploring, and giving their daughter experiences beyond the everyday.
Just as they were about to buy a boat, Covid hit and the family also experienced personal loss — including the passing of Duncan's mother. This sharpened their resolve. "Life is short," Kim recalls. "We decided we weren't going to wait any longer. We were going to live it now."
That decision led them to pivot their business in Melbourne and commission their dream boat in France, spending months outfitting her in La Rochelle, and finally step aboard as a family in April 2024.
From seasick to sea strong, Biscay was their first test
The first major hurdle was the Bay of Biscay, a passage infamous for unpredictable seas. To prepare, Kim arranged for a professional skipper to join them. "I told him he had one job: to set the scene perfectly for our daughter's first big crossing."
"I told him he had one job: to find the right weather window to make the passage as favourable as possible for our daughter's first big crossing, and set the scene for our 18 month voyage home."
Instead, the Biscay gave them a reality check. Four-metre waves and above, head-on seas, and ten hours of relentless seasickness tested every ounce of determination.
"Nothing prepares you for the moment you're so seasick you can't even move your little finger. But thanks to KISS, I knew what was happening, I knew others had gone through it, and that kept me calm."
After the rough sea came calm — 20 hours of glassy seas, the catamaran gliding through a gentle swell. The experience, Kim says, was transformative: "It showed us the highs and lows of sailing in just one passage, and gave me enormous respect for preparation and mindset."
Six months and five hours gave me confidence
From there, the family spent two months exploring Spain and Portugal's Atlantic coast, constantly monitoring for orcas, tuna nets, and weather systems. Despite the challenges of the Atlantic, the Atlantic coast remains a highlight for all of the ports they were able to experience that they would otherwise have never seen - A Coruña, Gijón, Vigo, Baiona, Lagos, Cádiz, Tavira where they had the best flaming chorizo at the tiny Port.
They celebrated their arrival in Gibraltar — a milestone marking survival of the Atlantic leg — before opening the next chapter: the Mediterranean.
Kim recalls her proudest moment at the helm:
"Duncan was homeschooling our daughter, my stepson Max had joined us and was lounging in the sun, and I just kept helming. Before I knew it, I'd sailed my family from the Port of La Duquesa, 53 nautical miles, which was roughly five hours along the coast to the next port Málaga, Spain. To arrive safely, on my own watch having done the weather forecasting, navigation & helming, was the most rewarding feeling. That confidence came directly from KISS which gave me a great head start, and stronger foundations to continue building my skills along the way."
Finding playmates and horses across the ocean
Sailing with a child brought rewards and challenges in equal measure. Their daughter was initially reluctant to leave friends behind and, at times, missed having peers nearby.
"Whenever we connected with other 'kid boats,' the difference was game changing," Kim reflects. "If we'd known where those communities were earlier on, we would have planned our route differently."
Yet the positives outweighed the difficulties, and it gave their daughter an invaluable taste of Europe. From horse riding in small towns to building independence onboard, their daughter gained memories, maturity and resilience that will last a lifetime.
Be open to plans changing:
As with any great adventure, plans evolved. An early return to Australia unexpectedly opened the door for their boat, Satellite, to enter charter in Montenegro—offering a rich and unplanned experience. Wintering onboard while preparing for charter allowed them to connect deeply with locals, gaining insight into the region's layered history and rapid development. Satellite remains in charter in Montenegro for the timebeing, and Kim dreams of hosting annual women's sailing courses aboard in the future.
Lessons for others, prepare and seize the moment
Kim and Duncan's adventure is not just a sailing story — it's a testament to preparation, courage, and seizing the moment. Her advice for others considering a big leap:
- Prepare, but don't over-wait. "If we'd waited until we felt 100% ready, we never would have left."
- Invest in training. KISS, Safety & Sea Survival, navigation, weather, and radio courses "were instrumental in keeping us safe."
- Add experience step by step. Paid skippers or experienced crew initially helped bridge their skill gaps with their new catamaran until they were confident alone.
- Never underestimate local knowledge and leverage from others experience. The insight into local Ports, navigating language barriers and understanding the nuances of the Atlantic coast provided additional confidence alongside the crucial preparation for the family's planned December Atlantic crossing.
- Understand the weather. "If there's one skill to prioritise, it's weather forecasting. It shapes every decision."
- Keep perspective. Boats of every age and budget can cross oceans, what matters is seaworthiness and preparedness.
From Port Phillip to the world
Kim is quick to credit KISS and the ORCV for laying the foundation:
"The ORCV programs gave me the tools and the belief I could do this. KISS was the spark that lit the fire. Without it, I don't think I'd have had the courage to take my family on this adventure."
KISS 2026: your turn
Kim's story proves that KISS isn't just for ocean racers. It's for anyone who dreams of being confident on the water — whether that means twilight sailing, joining a crew across Bass Strait, or embarking on your own cruising adventure. If you'd like to experience life aboard a modern cruising catamaran, you can follow Kim and her family, or perhaps you would like join one of her international women's sailing groups, go to www.sailingsatellite.com.
The 2026 KISS program launches on 10 November. If you've ever thought, "maybe that could be me", this is your invitation.
Learn more and register here.