Beating the Blowfish

By Emma Pontin
Review by
Julie Maskell

Beating the Blowfish is the real-life account of one woman’s battle with breast cancer while continuing her career as a professional yachtswoman. Emma Pontin gave up her career in the City of London at the age of 32 to become an ocean-racing skipper and instructor. Four years later she was diagnosed with breast cancer (which she calls her ‘blowfish’), receiving the devastating call on her way to the start of a transatlantic race.

The book follows Emma’s severe ups and downs after an initial mastectomy and the essential lifesaving treatment that followed. The frustration at having to place her life in the hands of medical professionals becomes clear and is in stark contrast to the control she feels as she skippers her crew across the seas.

This book will appeal to both sailors and non-sailors alike, as Emma’s account of her fight with her ‘blowfish’ is inspiring. She manages to retain her humour throughout her illness and packs more into this time than most do over many years. She gets married, skippers her first ocean yacht race, runs a marathon and, oh yes, battles cancer … truly amazing!

Paperback book
Published by Seafarer Books
ISBN 9781906266158
Price: £9.95