EXPEDITION ATLANTIC CROSSING | NOVEMBER 2028
Across the ocean
Across the open ocean from Las Palmas to Saint Lucia, in a crew of eight.
The story of this expedition
We travel to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and cross the Atlantic from there, with Rodney Bay in Saint Lucia as the destination. Between departure and arrival lie three weeks of open ocean. After twelve months of preparation you step aboard with a small group, guided by Koen De Leeuw and two professional skippers.
For weeks everything revolves around the watch system. Navigating, sailing, reading the weather, cooking and recovering, at night as well and also when you are tired. Leadership becomes very concrete here.
The ocean reveals how you deal with fatigue, repetition, tension and uncertainty. This is not a short adventure, but an experience that keeps working on you months afterwards.
Flat calm, squalls and days of glassy sea alternate. You learn to decide with incomplete information, in a small team that has to trust each other completely.
We cross in November, the classic window for the Atlantic crossing: steady trade winds and the smallest chance of heavy depressions.
The story of
this expedition
We travel to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and cross the Atlantic from there, with Rodney Bay in Saint Lucia as the destination. Between departure and arrival lie three weeks of open ocean. After twelve months of preparation you step aboard with a small group, guided by Koen De Leeuw and two professional skippers.
For weeks everything revolves around the watch system. Navigating, sailing, reading the weather, cooking and recovering, at night as well and also when you are tired. Leadership becomes very concrete here.
The ocean reveals how you deal with fatigue, repetition, tension and uncertainty. This is not a short adventure, but an experience that keeps working on you months afterwards.
Flat calm, squalls and days of glassy sea alternate. You learn to decide with incomplete information, in a small team that has to trust each other completely.
We cross in November, the classic window for the Atlantic crossing: steady trade winds and the smallest chance of heavy depressions.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we set sail, the boat is your entire world. Water, food, energy and recovery are planned ahead, and anything that breaks, you repair yourself.
You learn to sail, navigate and stand your four hour watch, at night as well and also when you are tired, guided by an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the basis of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions. Exactly the calibre of guidance an expedition like this requires.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and support from shore.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the basis of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions. Exactly the calibre of guidance an expedition like this requires.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and support from shore.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we set sail, the boat is your entire world. Water, food, energy and recovery are planned ahead, and anything that breaks, you repair yourself.
You learn to sail, navigate and stand your four hour watch, at night as well and also when you are tired, guided by an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Imagine: a night watch under a sky full of stars, no light on the horizon and only the sound of the bow through the water.
On this crossing you are immersed in the rhythm of the ocean: watch, sail, sleep, recover. For three weeks, in a crew of eight.
Imagine: a night watch under a sky full of stars, no light on the horizon and only the sound of the bow through the water.
On this crossing you are immersed in the rhythm of the ocean: watch, sail, sleep, recover. For three weeks, in a crew of eight.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be an experienced sailor. Through our twelve month preparation programme (Sea Survival, VHF, first aid, astronavigation and a three day Channel crossing) we build your level up until you are ready for the crossing.
Very safe. You sail with two professional skippers and Koen De Leeuw on board, with satellite communication, a life raft, EPIRB and detailed emergency procedures. We choose the route and the moment of departure based on weather routing.
Included are the full twelve month preparation programme in which you learn to sail, the Sea Survival, VHF radio, first aid at sea and astronavigation courses, the practical training at sea with a three day Channel crossing, two professional skippers, guidance by an experienced expedition leader, all meals and drinks on board, fuel and mooring fees. Flights, transport to the airport, extra hotel nights and personal equipment are not.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be an experienced sailor. Through our twelve month preparation programme (Sea Survival, VHF, first aid, astronavigation and a three day Channel crossing) we build your level up until you are ready for the crossing.
Very safe. You sail with two professional skippers and Koen De Leeuw on board, with satellite communication, a life raft, EPIRB and detailed emergency procedures. We choose the route and the moment of departure based on weather routing.
Included are the full twelve month preparation programme in which you learn to sail, the Sea Survival, VHF radio, first aid at sea and astronavigation courses, the practical training at sea with a three day Channel crossing, two professional skippers, guidance by an experienced expedition leader, all meals and drinks on board, fuel and mooring fees. Flights, transport to the airport, extra hotel nights and personal equipment are not.
Ready to cross the Atlantic?
Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Expedition leader - Element X
You do not cross an ocean on adrenaline. You do it on rhythm, on routine and on trust in each other. After three weeks at sea you know exactly who you are when things take a long time.
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