Date:
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13th - 20th November
(event starts 2pm 13th November) |
Location:
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Starts and finishes in Gibraltar |
Event type: |
Sailing, sailing and more sailing! |
Aimed at: |
Adventurous souls who fancy something different!
No experience necessary. Suitable for all levels of sailor. |
Yachts:
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Each yacht is led by an experienced and approved RYA instructor
Yachts likely:
1 x Bavaria 36ft
1 x Bavaria 37ft
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Event goals:
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Learn to sail, explore marinas and seas around Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco, improve your skills, have a go at some racing.
The trip will also give you a formal Competent Crew rating. This is a low pressure certification which gives you the knowledge to follow instructions given by a skipper - hence making you a useful member of crew should you wish to do more sailing in the future. |
No. of slots:
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Currently: 2 yachts, 10 slots |
Status:
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7 slots remaining |
Event Overview:
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If right now you are thinking "lounging on the front of a big yacht, sipping margaritas while topping up a tan"... think again.. while there might be the odd chance to relax by day, this is primarily an activity holiday using yachts with racing capability.
It will not only teach you to sail (or give you extra hours if you already know how), but will also include a competitive element through a bit of 'friendly' racing. You will get the chance to help navigate the waterways by night and day, and experience living and crewing aboard a yacht.
On the social side, there will be relaxed starts and opportunities to visit bays and marinas along the southern coast of Spain and possibly Morocco too. |
Yacht teams:
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During the day boat teams may split off to complete exercises, but we would meet up frequently to race and will also ensure that all boats are moored in the same marinas by night - allowing for socialising in the various marina bars, clubs and casinos along the way.
The racing element could take the form of one short race around the cans, intensive races on one or more days, with perhaps a longer, possibly overnight race in the latter part of the week (the choice will be ours). At that time of year the Gibraltar bay and straits area is frequently very windy which means great sailing/racing opportunities and a chance to go beyond competent crew syllabus - including the poling out of headsails and Spinnaker work. All under certified instruction of course. |
Sailing locations:
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The adventure will begin in Gibraltar bay after which (depending on wind directions/conditions etc) we may visit marinas in any of the following locations: Across the Straits to Ceuta, Tangiers and Smir (on the Moroccan coast) and Tarifa (a mecca for kitesurfers), Sotogrande, Estepona, Duquesa, Puerto Banus on the Spanish side. We will of course return to Gibraltar bay at the end.
N.B. Tangiers is not a tourist town and lots of bureaucracy and legwork is necessary to gain entry. Once in however it is worth the effort. If we wanted to keep this as an option the company would help us check visa requirements before making the trip.
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Living on board:
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We will be sleeping aboard the boat and using marina facilities when moored (usually pretty good).
Cabins will be typically be shared.
This is effectively a self catered holiday and everyone must pitch in (all part of the fun). The bulk of food and ingredients for self catering is however supplied on board.
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Cost:
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The cost of this 6 day adventure is £495 per person (represents 6 days for the price of 5).
This covers all mooring fees, course tuition, racing instruction, accommodation during the course, two evening meals and lunches for most days (although a stock up of basics (bread, milk, eggs etc. will be needed at the midpoint).
Lunch is frequently taken on board mid-sail or while at anchor. Eating out in marinas is always an option for dinner. |
Equipment:
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You will not need to buy anything expensive to do this course! Waterproofs, lifejackets and other safety equipment are all provided.
You will obviously need to bring various layers of clothing (including some thermal for night sailing/windy/cooler days) but expect warm southern Spain weather too!
A cheap pair of non marking shoes (e.g. deck shoes or white soled pumps/trainers) is the only thing you will probably need to buy. Other than that - you'd just need to bring yourself, a torch and some sea legs!
N.B. storage space on board is limited - so you'll need to pack light and use a soft foldable bag rather than a hard suitcase. |
Getting there:
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You will need to arrange your own flight to Gibraltar.
Direct flights to Gibraltar are available from Luton (Monarch), Gatwick (EasyJet/British Airways), Manchester (British Airways & Monarch).
The boats we would join will be moored at a marina just a 5 min taxi ride from the airport (walkable if you don't have much luggage).
If you decided to stay in Gibraltar for an extra day or two, reasonable hotel deals are usually available.
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Interested? What now?
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If we have slots left then you are welcome.
If we don't we will look at adding a third yacht.
Email us and be prepared to place a £100 deposit (the yachts have to be reserved). Balance due 6 weeks before sailing. |
Organised by
Caroline Hughes
Run by: 
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