WHAT ABOUT SAILING EXPERIENCE?

How much sailing experience do I need?

It depends on the race event. For most yacht racing events the training that we provide as part of the campaign is sufficient, that goes for regattas, the Fastnet, the Middle Sea Race and the ARC amongst others. If you have a sense of adventure and are in good health with an average fitness level then we want you on the yacht racing team! Our instructors and race skippers are really experienced in training novice crew and ensure that everyone onboard the yachts  gets great coaching and the chance to build their sailing skills whatever sailing background they come from.  Some tougher offshore races like the Rolex Sydney to Hobart have special entry requirements, but even so we don’t usually turn people away because we assess the crew as a whole and usually we have a good mix of experience across the board.

Who else is on the crew?

Will I gain any qualifications?

WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL AND INSURANCE?

Are flights and transport included?

Generally not. You need to make your own way to us at Cowes for UK based events and to the yachts location at overseas races. This may involve bus or taxi rides to and from airports. We usually try to ensure that once on location, the yachts are conveniently placed for the accommodation, and that we are close to the organising clubs and social centres.

Do I need a travel visa?

Do I need insurance?

What happens if I have to pull out of the event?

WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION/BERTHS ON BOARD

Is accommodation included?

We try to accommodate our clients with a berth on one of boats if at all possible, however this is very much on a first come first served basis as we have limited space available for clients and staff on board.

Will I have a cabin to myself?

Is accommodation ashore provided?

What are the facilities on-board?

WHAT ABOUT FOOD ON BOARD

What do we eat while offshore?

We will be using a mixture of pre-prepared nutritionally balanced expedition foods from Look What We Found http://www.lookwhatwefound.co.uk/shop.html and fresh, tinned and dried foods sourced locally. 

RECOMMEND KIT LIST

What sailing kit do I need?

We always send out a gear list for each race. For some events shorts and shirts and a sturdy pair of non marking shoes is enough. For those events where you are ashore during training and transfer to the yacht for an offshore race please consider that you may also need a sleeping bag or sheet for use onboard as we do not supply bedding.

For offshore and long races you will need more sailing clothing and kit below is a typical list of offshore race gear, by no means exhaustive, it should give you some idea. 

Please remember that we are racing so keep gear to the absolute minimum! Please think carefully about what you bring and pack your gear in a soft collapsible bag, not a suitcase, and no bags with wheels please as they do not fold away. Bring a 20-25lt dry bag for kit stowage onboard. The hold-all that you use for travel will be stowed in shoreside stowage. Your storage area on board will be 20-30 litres volume. Your wet-weather gear, boots or deck shoes and your sleeping bag are in addition to the 25L kit bag.

Sailing Kit Note: Sailing at night or in poor weather can be cold. Bring light thermals as they help wick moisture away if you are sweating, they are also breathable and comfortable to wear under foulies or as alternative to T shirts, avoid cottons and non breathable gear, as it does not dry.

Recommended offshore kit list

Personal Kit

Meeting Points/locations

Please always check your joining instructions for up to date information on where to join your event!

Joining a UK Event

If you are joining a UK event then we are based at Cowes Yacht Haven in Cowes on the Isle of Wight,
Our boats are usually berthed in the North Basin and our office is located in the Yacht Haven too.

Our UK base is located in 

Cowes Yacht Haven

Isle of Wight

Joining a Caribbean event

If you are joining us for a Caribbean event then the boats are based in Antigua, however as the events take place on different Caribbean islands you will need to check your joining instructions sent ahead of the event or contact us to discuss. If your event is based in Antigua or you are joining us for a passage then the boats will either be in Jolly Harbour marina or Falmouth, please check your joining instructions.

Joining the ARC

There are taxis available at the airport. Just look for eggshell-white cars with a red stripe on the sides (on each front door). Other signs that might help you recognize a taxi are the letters SP (meaning ‘Servicio Público’) and a green light on top or in the front windscreen (this green light indicates that the taxi is free). This is the quickest but most expensive option. Costs vary according to your final destination.

There are frequent bus services between the airport and most of the destinations on the island. The journey to Las Palmas (north of the island) takes around 30. For further information contact the Marina on Tel: +34 928 244 101
Fax. +34 928 300 466

Joining the Rolex Middle Sea Race

Take a taxi from the Airport to EITHER the Grand Harbour Marina, OR Royal Malta Yacht Club. Taxi services from the Malta International Airport to all localities in Malta are based on a fixed tariff. Please check your Joining instructions as you may need to get a free water taxi to the boats

A &S Water taxi – 0035621806921 [email protected]

Joining the RORC Transatlantic Race

There are taxis available at the airport to our base at Marina Lanzarote.

We are based in marina Lanzarote for our pre-race preparations.

THE GLOBAL YACHT RACING TEAM