At Chatham we are extremely grateful for some of our fantastic ambassadors. Sam Matson is an aspiring sailor competing on the world stage for solo offshore racing. We wanted to catch up with Sam on some of his best achievements and why he loves Chatham Footwear.
What do you love most about sailing?
I aspire to compete in the ultimate sporting challenge of sailing solo, non-stop around the world. It is a challenge like no other, pushing technology, physical and psychological abilities to the absolute limit. It is freedom, adventure and independence at the extreme.
What is your greatest ever achievement?
Every year I aim to propel myself forwards in my career. Milestone events for me include my first La Solitaire du Figaro in 2014 (the unofficial world championships of solo offshore sailing), achieving 15th overall, 2nd rookie and top British skipper. Other results include a class win in the infamous Rolex Fastnet Race and achieving the best ever British result in the 2-handed transatlantic AG2R race.
When out at sea, what are your top recommendations when it comes to what to wear ?
The key is to be comfortable, the right temperature and as dry as you possibly can be at all times. This is sometimes pretty unachievable, but effectively the hype is real when spending money on sailing kit. The more comfortable I am for longer, the better I perform.
Which is your favourite pair of Chatham shoes and why?
I love the Aqua Go shoes from Chatham as they provide loads of grip and shed out the water really fast. There’s nothing worse than having a pair of shoes that never dry onboard.
Do you think your choice of footwear makes a difference to your sailing performance?
Choice of footwear all comes down to comfort again. In my discipline I could be in the same pair of shoes in excess of 4 days, so it’s essential that they dry fast and of course don’t start smelling quickly! Not only that, but they have to grip well and I have to trust they will grip as I move fast around the boat; otherwise I could be in trouble!
When not out on the open water and adding to your long list of achievements, what are your favourite hobbies?
My career is definitely more of a lifestyle choice as with all professional athletes. Everything I do away from sailing is still looking to benefit my career whether that is through increased fitness or water based/ wind sports. I cross country cycle, surf and kite surf when I get the chance.
Keep a look at for the latest from Sam on our website, 2017 is set to be another exciting year. For more information or to learn more about our technical sailing shoes head to the product section of the website.
