With 32 Sydney to Hobart races behind him and two with Making Waves Foundation, Steve Grellis is returning to the 2025 campaign not for recognition, but because he truly believes in what the organisation stands for: inclusion, possibility, and giving people the freedom to discover what they’re capable of. 

Living with glaucoma and facing a significant risk of losing his sight, Steve has found deep inspiration in sailors like James Hunter, who navigate the world without vision yet with extraordinary strength. That perspective has already changed him and grounded his drive to push himself, contribute meaningfully, and treat participants not as people to be helped “at,” but as teammates with autonomy and purpose. 

Simply getting to the start line has been its own challenge—one made possible through the tireless work of skipper John and the crew—but Steve is committed because this race, amplified on a national stage, brings attention to the life-changing impact of inclusive sailing. Supporting Steve means backing someone who shows up, works hard, and stands firmly for the values that make Making Waves so important. 

Good Luck Steve!