WORLD CRUISING CLUB UK

Bluewater Cruiser’s Question Time at the London Boat Show

Skippers and crews interested in sailing off across the oceans are welcome to attend one of the free Bluewater Cruisers’ Question Time forums hosted by World Cruising Club at the London Boat Show. Taking place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 12th January, these interactive panel discussions will provide a focused introduction to life at sea and will answer key questions for those preparing for bluewater cruising. Topics covered will include great boat gear, cruising essentials, sailing with family, and choosing a boat. Question Time Sessions are free but spaces are strictly limited so those wishing to attend are advised to book in advance.

The Adventurous Sailing feature stand at the London Boat Show will also give visitors the opportunity to meet experienced bluewater cruisers Marion and Conor Wall and climb aboard Toucan, their OVNI 435. Sailing via France, Spain and Portugal to the Canaries, they joined the ARC in 2010 and began their adventurous three year circumnavigation which included transiting the Panama Canal, and visiting the Galapagos Islands, Marquises, Tuamotu’s, Society Islands (including Bora Bora), the Cook Islands, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Christmas Island, Cocoas Keeling, Rodriguez, Mauritius, La Reunion, South Africa, St. Helena, Brazil and back to Grenada where they completed the circle.

In-depth three-day seminar for planning and preparing to go ocean cruising

Hosted by World Cruising Club in association with Yachting World, the Ocean Cruising Seminar will return to Guildford, UK from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th March 2014. Open to all, the seminar is perfect for those considering the transition from coastal cruising to blue water passage making. Lecturers have been chosen for their wealth of knowledge in their specialist fields including refitting a yacht for offshore cruising, communications equipment choices, sourcing and interpreting weather forecasts and heavy weather sailing techniques.

The Ocean Cruising Seminar combines classroom lectures with group discussions and one-on-one interaction with speakers and fellow students. An all-inclusive programme of seminar presentations, speaker materials, hotel accommodation, meals, and social time together combine to provide a cost-effective, enjoyable in-depth learning experience.

“The seminar was very well presented,” commented Michael Ives after he attended in 2013. “Good value for money and an entertaining, valuable experience that I would recommend to others.”

Many of those who attended last year’s seminar are currently sailing with the ARC to Saint Lucia, and looking ahead to their more ambitious cruising dreams. Tim and Claire Hagon, who will join World ARC in 2014 with their yacht Ghost, came to the Ocean Cruising Seminar in 2013 and said “It was an excellent seminar and extremely worthwhile. We found it to be a good way to start the adventure and great to meet fellow participants.”

For more information about how to join the Bluewater Cruisers’ Question Time and Ocean Sailing Seminar, please visit http://www.worldcruising.com/training

WORLD CRUISING CLUB USA

Ocean cruising experts share their sailing knowledge at the 2014 Chicago Strictly Sail show in January and dedicated three-day seminar held in Annapolis, MD in March.

Hosted by World Cruising Club USA in association with SAIL magazine, the Ocean Sailing Seminar will return to Annapolis, MD from Friday, March 21st to Sunday, March 23rd, 2014. Open to all, the seminar is perfect for those considering the transition from coastal cruising to blue water passage making. Lecturers have been chosen for their wealth of knowledge in their specialist fields including refitting a yacht for offshore cruising, communications equipment choices, sourcing and interpreting weather forecasts and heavy weather sailing techniques.

The Ocean Sailing Seminar combines classroom lectures with group discussions and one-on-one interaction with speakers and fellow students. An all-inclusive program of seminar presentations, speaker materials, hotel accommodation, meals, and social time together combine to provide a cost-effective, enjoyable in-depth learning experience.

“The seminar was very well presented,” commented Michael Ives after he attended in 2013. “Good value for money and an entertaining, valuable experience that I would recommend to others.”

Many of those who attended last year’s seminar recently completed the ARC Caribbean 1500 to Tortola, and are looking ahead to their more ambitious cruising dreams. Russ and Laurie Owen, who will join World ARC in 2014 with their catamaran Nexus, came to the Ocean Cruising Seminar in 2013 and said “We found the WCC seminar experience invaluable in preparation for our circumnavigation. The combination of real-world experience, great materials, and the interactive setting gave us the right background information and networking in preparation for our voyage, as well as some great new friends. We would recommend it highly to anyone considering a voyage!”

Ocean Sailing Forum Panel Discussion at Strictly Sail Chicago in January

For a taster of what to expect during the three-day seminar, skippers and crews are welcome to attend the three-hour Ocean Sailing Forum at the Columbia Yacht Club adjacent to the Strictly Sail Chicago boat show. Taking place on Sunday, January 26th, the interactive panel discussion will provide a focused introduction to life at sea and will answer key questions for those preparing for bluewater cruising. Topics covered will include great boat gear, cruising essentials, sailing with family, and choosing a boat. The Ocean Sailing Forum is $15.00, but includes a ticket to Strictly Sail ($15 value). Spaces are strictly limited so those wishing to attend are advised to book in advance.

The Chicago Panel will include sailor and boatbuilder Paul Exner of Modern Geographic Expeditions, ARC Caribbean 1500 participants of the Valiant 40 Pendragon Jen & Scott Brigham, and Paul & Sheryl Shard of the Southerly Distant Shores. The Shard’s produce a TV series of the same name, and have cruised the world documenting their experiences. The panel will be moderated by World Cruising Club USA Event Manager and SAIL Contritbuting Editor Andy Schell. All are highly experienced sailors with a wealth of insight and knowledge to share.

For more information about how to join the Annapolis Seminar and Chicago Forum, please visit http://www.worldcruising.com/training