Jesse was born to his parents Kon and Louise, on 26 August 1981 while
backpacking through Europe. After his parents separated, Jesse and
younger brother Beau attended Upwey South Primary School and later
Wesley College in Melbourne.
Father Kon introduced both boys to sailing. Three years later at age 17
Jesse set off on an attempt to become the youngest person to sail the
world solo, non-stop and unassisted. He returned 328 days later age 18
years three weeks old, claiming the world record and having sighted
land only 3 times.
In 2002 Jesse set off around the world again, this time aboard the 54
foot ketch 'Kijana'(Swahili for 'young people') with a crew of friends
including brother Beau. After 10 months the journey came to an unhappy
end with crew tensions, business pressures and mother nature all taking
their toll.
With an advance from writing his second book (Kijana The Real Story),
Jesse was able to secure the polynesian catamaran 'Imajica' from the
Philippines and relocated her to her current home in the remote islands
of Papua New Guinea.
He now takes paying guests on exploratory expeditions throughout these
islands.
