Travel is something that has inspired us. For centuries, human beings have tried discovering new places and experiences along the way. It has helped us grow, learn new skills and of course grow as people.
In order to experience the beauty of travel, Russian circumnavigation team 5 Oceans Club, made a stop in Sri Lanka before completing their second global expedition.
The delegation consisted of Captain Dmitry Kuznetsov, crew member Vladimir Dudkin, cabin crew members Dmitry Dudnik and Ksenia Kuznetsova, Natalia Shahinyan, founder of the charity foundation “Life on the Move,” and Sofia Sheremet, a ward of the foundation and participant in the expedition under the Yachting Without Borders project.
What makes this expedition particularly inspiring is not only the scale of their journey but the intention behind it. The club actively works with children with limb disabilities, encouraging them to experience the ocean and participate in sailing as equals. This allows them to build confidence, independence and a stronger connection with nature.
In order to share their journey and purpose with Sri Lanka, the six member team held a press conference on the 24 April at the Russian Center Colombo. In addition to the conference, the Russian house also hosted an art exhibition to capture the creativity and the cultural contributions of Russian artists.
A journey for a purpose
Travel can teach you so much. It can expose you to new ways of life and give you perspectives that haven't crossed your mind.
“We have been travelling all across the world, facing different oceans, different weather conditions and different cultures,” Captain of the boat of the 5 Oceans Club, Dmitry Kuznetsov, said. “Every place we stop changes how we experience and understand the world we live in. It is not only sailing but it is also learning through experience.”
He explained that the expedition is structured around education as much as exploration, where every journey provides opportunities in resilience, teamwork and human connection.
“This is not just travel but a chance to learn new skills and develop a better understanding of oneself,” Kuznetov said.
Sailing without borders
One of the most meaningful aspects of the 5 Oceans Club is its commitment to inclusivity. The team actively works with children with limb disabilities, allowing them to participate in sailing as equal members of the crew.
“We believe the ocean should not be something people are excluded from because of physical limitations,” Shahinyan said. “When a child sails, they are not defined by disability anymore but are defined by what they are able to achieve.”
This approach is part of the Yachting Without Borders project, which focuses on making sailing accessible to everyone, regardless of physical condition.
The team also spoke about a specialised sailing school in Siberia, one of Russia’s most scenic regions, where children with disabilities are introduced to maritime life in a structured environment.
“The goal is not to protect children from challenges but to give them safe ways to face it,” Shahinyan said. “We have seen people with disabilities achieve amazing things. We want to encourage them to be confident in themselves.”
Life on board and science at sea
During their session in Colombo, the crew also shared insight into daily life aboard the yacht. Life at sea is highly structured, with each member responsible for specific roles that keep the vessel running smoothly.
“We live as one team,” Kuznetsov said. “Everyone has a role, and everyone depends on each other. At sea, everyone has to work on the boat.”
Kuznetsov said that the crew members with disabilities get the chance to work and challenge notions that society puts on the disabled population.
Beyond sailing, the expedition also integrates a love of learning into its journey. The crew collects environmental observations, studies ocean conditions and tracks navigation data.
“This voyage is not only about reaching destinations,” Kuznetsov added. “It is also about understanding the ocean better with every mile we travel.”
A stop in Sri Lanka
The visit to Sri Lanka was brief but meaningful. It allowed the team to share their mission and reflect on how travel can be used as a tool for inclusion and learning.
For the 5 Oceans Club, every stop is more than a destination. It is an opportunity to connect with people, share experiences and highlight the value of opening travel to wider communities.
“We always learn something from every country we visit,” Kuznetsov said. “Even a short stop teaches us something new and allows us to learn about new cultures and environments.”
Travel, in this sense, becomes more than movement across borders. It becomes a way of building understanding between people and showing that inclusion can exist even in the most remote and challenging environments at sea.