Speaker details

Biography

Bullied, insecure and dyslexic as a child, he believed he would not amount to much. How wrong he was! Greg is now a family man, humanitarian, charity campaigner, author and the founder of the internationally awarded Sharkspotter Program and The Little Optimist Trust. After surviving two cardiac surgeries and 200 days in hospital fighting a tropical bacteria, he went on to sail an 8ft children's Optimist dinghy around the Cape of Storms in 2016. He raised €100 000 for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and OPTIMIST, the internationally acclaimed documentary about his journey, was released. A respected sailor and surfer, Greg shifted “perceived reality” when, as a multiple cardiac surgery survivor, he became National Champion in Lifesaving and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. In 2019 he was recognised by the Marine industry for the incredible charity work he does in Africa, and received the Dame Charity Award at METS in Amsterdam. After authoring two children's books, Greg’s foundation has partnered with the Laureus Foundation, Paris Olympics 2024 and the IOC, to set up Sailing Therapy Academy’s and programs around South Africa.