Description
PRE-PUBLICATION SALE: UNTIL December 11, 2025
Size: 6×9″ Pages: 416
Illustrations: 188 photographs.
Available Formats: Hardcover and Audio Book
Hardbound (ISBN 978-1-7356803-2-3)
Audio Book (ISBN 978-1-7356803-3-0)
When a Force 10 storm erupts in the middle of the Atlantic, many sailors find themselves caught in its fury. It is an experience that none will forget; some will not survive, and it undoubtedly changes you forever.
This gripping autobiographical account begins with a deadly storm that made headlines in the UK, placing Louie Hubbard, a 21-year-old captain of a 62-foot sailboat, at the center of a dramatic survival story. A year later, unaware of the lasting impact of his near-death experience, Hubbard embarks on a reckless and ill-fated attempt to windsurf solo across the Atlantic. The same newspapers that once celebrated his courage now share a very different narrative—stories he fears will follow him for the rest of his life.
After thirty-two long years of silence, Louie Hubbard emerges to unveil his deeply personal journey shaped by trauma. With the spirit of an entrepreneur and the heart of an adventurer, he deftly navigates the tumultuous seas of life and the complex waters of the business world. His story is not just a testament to resilience but an inspiring exploration of what it means to embrace the challenges of trauma and pursue dreams against all odds.
With 188 photographs and illustrations throughout the book, Silent MAYDAY unfolds like a mini-series, presenting a new dramatic piece of literature.
‘I’ve just read the first few pages and felt the goosebumps rise – I’m always so keenly aware of the forces at play and how we tip-toe along the edge of catastrophe at sea (I have done NOTHING compared to the exploits in the book).’ — Monty Halls Former Royal Marines Officer, TV Broadcaster, Biologist, Writer
‘Honest account lays bare, and ultimately overcomes, long-buried trauma. A truly fantastic, must-read story driven by relentless determination and transformed into a mission to create lasting good for others.” — Jason Gardener, MBE British Olympic Gold Medalist 2004
‘Remarkable! Having struggled to build a business at a young age, I can relate to Louie’s fight to get the TAWR 98 off the ground. His survival of the yacht sinking is riveting; I have competed in many Ocean Races and recognize his emotions battling the forces of nature in survival conditions. This is an excellent read for anyone who has sailed or windsurfed.’ — Neil Pryde, Founder of Neil Pryde International
‘Very few have experienced the harsh power that Mother Nature can display. Even fewer have had that moment of making life & death decisions. It is very rare for a sailor to share this experience, which is why this book is so special.’ — Dee Caffari MBE, 6 x Circumnavigation of the Globe, Award-Winning Sailor
‘Wow… Fuck… wow!!! Started to read your book in bed last night. What a mistake that was. Couldn’t get to sleep for about 2 hours after I forced myself to put it down…. It’s epic!’ — Julius Brighton, Emmy award-winning and BAFTA-nominated DOP
‘A bright light on a dark sea. We are drawn into his world like moths. Until I read this book, I never knew or understood what ignited that light…’ — Stuart Sawyer, CEO of D30, former British windsurfing and yachting champion
‘Louie Hubbard tells stories of ingenuity, tenacity, persuasion, and bold ambition in the service of goals that remained largely unmet. But then, in life the true goal is the journey, and in Silent Mayday Louie writes bravely about his journey. — Ken Winner, Author, innovator, 7-time world champion, key player in three windsport
