The famous ARC Seminars got underway today in Las Palmas, with hundreds of participants expected to attend many of the hour-long specialist presentations taking place over the next week. Seminars are dedicated to a whole range of topics about ocean cruising, and feature talks from multiple ocean veterans and industry specialists.
Seasoned ARC team member and 18-time Atlantic sailor Chris Tibbs started the day of seminars off at the Real Club Nautico with his tips on Emergency Management. Resident ARC rigger Jerry Henwood then followed by sharing plenty of practical advice and common problems encountered with one of the most important parts of the boat – the rig. Other topics today included Route and Weather also delivered by Chris Tibbs which was packed out to standing room only. Following a break for lunch, Claire Pengelly took the stand to talk all things Provisioning with plenty of handy pointers for crew stocking up for the crossing. Chris then returns to the stage to share his top tips downwind sailing and making the most of a tradewind ocean crossing. This year he'll be sailing alongside participants on board his own boat, Taistealai.
The ARC seminar program aims to educate and reassure participants about the Atlantic voyage ahead, and compliments the assistance with preparations which World Cruising Club provides as soon as skippers sign up for the rally. Many of the topics covered serve as refreshers, and others help crews focus their preparations in Las Palmas.
This evening the ARC education continues with a specialist double-handed workshop for those boats with only two people onboard for the crossing.