In His Slipstream is a photo essay about a family of novice sailors who cross the Channel in memory of Laury – their son, brother, cousin, nephew – who was as passionate about sailing as he was compassionate towards people and planet.

Beset by mental health challenges, Laury tragically took his own life in July 2020.

The work shines a light on the charity Blue Spirit set up in Laury’s honour, which grants sailing bursaries to young people experiencing a mental health challenge or facing social and economic disadvantage.

Laury’s family set sail on Pelangi under the skippership of Dhara Thompson in August 2022 from Itchenor Harbour in Southern England to Port Blanc in Northern Brittany, where Laury grew up and first learnt to sail. His family embarked on this extraordinary journey for many reasons: to experience Laury’s passion for sailing for themselves; to connect the two lands of his heritage; to raise awareness of Blue Spirit.

Meanwhile two Blue Spirit beneficiaries, Emilee and Sam, accompanied by photographer (Nina Emett) and film crew (Juanan Eguiguran & Shelley Piggot) set sail in adjacent sailboat Jalapeño for part of the crossing, under the skippership of Jim Wright, with Finn Lewis as First Mate. The documentary crew sailed as far as the Isle of Wight and then continued to document the family’s pursuits once they arrived in Brittany.

After a memorable and sometimes challenging crossing, the family reunite with friends who celebrate their arrival, and take part in memorial activities for Laury: they visit his grave by the sea; return to the family home where his father Iago still lives with his other daughter, Laury’s half-sister, Poppy; run sailing excursions along the Breton coast with Laury’s girlfriend Marie Vuillard as First Mate; put on a ‘fest-noz’ – a traditional Celtic Festival - where Laury’s best friend Camille Bossard plays guitar with some members of his Breton band War-sav and other Breton musicians, while family, friends and the local community perform traditional Breton dances.

With this moving pilgrimage, Laury’s family and friends set out to create as much impact as possible In His Slipstream.