Sailing rally organisers World Cruising Club (WCC) will be hosting a series of forums this autumn set to inspire sailors to extend their offshore cruising boundaries.
Each forum will feature a panel of experienced blue water cruisers sharing their personal experiences of sailing offshore passages and living on board, together with industry professionals giving their own practical top tips. The objective is to share their knowledge and experience in a friendly and informative way and audience members are encouraged to participate and to ask questions.
During the two-hour forums, panellists will discuss the planning and preparation required for ocean cruising, with special emphasis on WCC rallies including the ARC, Caribbean 1500 and World ARC.
Topics covered include preparing a boat, selecting equipment, sail handling, life on board, crew management, route planning and weather. Anyone interested in sailing off across the oceans, whether planning for the future or almost ready to set-sail, is welcome to attend. Space for each forum is limited, and those wishing to attend are encouraged to sign up in advance.
“Listening to the panels wealth of experience in blue water cruising was very inspirational. It gave us the required nudge and confidence to get on with our boats essential upgrade,” said Geoff Holden who attended one of WCC's Ocean Sailing Forums at the Southampton Boat Show in 2016.
Holden is currently preparing his boat for a transatlantic crossing with the ARC this November, and then plans to continue into the Pacific.
In addition of Ocean Sailing Forums, specific sessions are also planned for those wishing to find out about World Cruising Club's circumnavigation rally, World ARC. A special Cruising in Portugal seminar, supported by Marina de Lagos, will also be held.
Held alongside international boats shows in Australia, UK, and USA, the forums also provide an opportunity to take the panel's ideas and suggestions with you into the show and speak to the specialist blue water exhibitors.
ARC organisers World Cruising Club will also be on hand following each forum to answer questions about the world's most popular cruising rallies and all aspects of preparing to go blue water cruising.
World Cruising Club Forums
Sydney, Australia
Sail to Australia with ARC and World ARC – Saturday, 5 August from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Southampton, UK
Ocean Sailing Forum – Saturday 16 September, 10:00 – 12:00 at the Harbour Lights Picturehouse
Cruising Portugal Seminar – Saturday 23 September, 09:00 – 11:00 at the Grand Harbour Hotel
World ARC Presentation includes Lunch – Saturday 23 September, 12:00 – 14:00 at the Grand Harbour Hotel
Annapolis, USA
World ARC Presentation includes Breakfast – Friday 6 October, 08:30 – 10:30 at the Federal House
Ocean Sailing Forum – Saturday 7 October, 09:00 – 11:30 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel
Full details of each forum, including venue, times and registration at www.worldcruising.com/training
