Supporters

The Tourist Promotion Board of Gran Canaria have a long standing relationship with World Cruising Club and the ARC as co-sponsor in the start port, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A full and varied programme of social activities is arranged for the two weeks before the start of the ARC and many of these are organised by the Tourist Promotion Board of Gran Canaria. With numerous information booths around the City, the Tourist Promotion Board have also developed a very informative website with direct links to everything related to Gran Canaria and up-to-date information on services and resources, available in several different languages.

World Cruising Club have been working closely with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority for many years, to ensure that an attractive programme of events is arranged for the ARC, from the arrival of the first ARC yacht in Saint Lucia through to the Final Prize Giving. From the moment ARC yachts arrive in Saint Lucia, the Tourism Authority are on hand, with information and advice, to make their stay an enjoyable one, ensuring yachts leave the Island with fond memories.

The ARC starts from the yacht marina of Las Palmas - the Muelle Deportivo which is owned and operated by the Autoridad Porturia de Las Palmas. World Cruising Club have worked closely with the Las Palmas Port Authority for many years. As co-port sponsor in Las Palmas, and with feedback from ARC participants, they have developed and improved facilities in and around the marina greatly over the past 10 years. This development continues, with an ambitious plan to double the capacity of the marina by 2005. Today, the Muelle Deportivo, which holds the fleet of ARC yachts prior to the start, is a cleaner, better serviced and safer city centre marina for visiting yachtsmen thanks to it's development alongside the growth of the ARC. Las Palmas is the home of the ARC, and Muelle Deportivo is right at the centre of this important event for the city of Las Palmas, and the island of Gran Canaria.

The city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded in June 24th, 1478 by the Castilian captain Juan Rejon, who started the conquest of the island from the area placed at the mouth of the "Guiniguada" ravine. This place, at the very beginning known as "El Real", is nowadays in the heart of the historic district of Vegueta. The city became a very important place because of the sugar cane trade, that at the same time brought dangerous enemies to the city, such as pirates, who attacked on an on the city until the XVIII century. The building of the "Puerto de la Luz" in the second half of the XIX century was the first step for the city in the process of achieving its modern appearance. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has become the platform in which three different continents meet. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife are the capitals of the Canarian autonomous community. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria faces the XXI century turned into the most important economic centre of the Canaries, and the city is also the 8th Spanish city at the population ranking. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an open, cosmopolitan and livel city with a total population of over 365,00 citizens.

Admiral Marine have a long standing relationship with World Cruising Club and extensive experience of insuring cruising yachts Worldwide. Their RallyeXtra insurance policy has been specifically created for World Cruising Club rally participants and offers comprehensive cover and additional benefits not found as standard in other policies. Admiral can also provide an efficient in-house claims service with a global network of surveyors and repair specialists providing peace of mind for cruising sailors.

Founded in 1877, Berthon is an established Yachting Group, and works hard to be current with the services that it offers for today´s discerning yachtsman:- Berthon International is a well-respected name in the quality yacht brokerage market, with offices in Lymington UK, the Côte d´Azur in France, and Newport, Rhode Island USA. Berthon always has a vast selection blue water cruising yachts available for sale as well as motor yachts and performance sailing yachts. They are the UK/European agents for a number of quality sail and motor yacht builders including the Steve Dashew FPB range of motor yachts, and of course they are very happy to offer professional advice and an efficient sales service should you be buying or selling.

Bomarine is the leading company in the Netherlands supplying new and innovative sailing equipment and ideas to long distance and coastal sailors. As the official representative of World Cruising Club in the Netherlands they are the first point of contact for all Dutch sailors planning to participate in World Cruising Club events.

The Hamble School of Yachting is the leading independent RYA Sea School in the UK. Established 30 years ago and based on the river Hamble, the school is renowned world wide for its excellent reputation for high standards of tuition and personal service.

The School runs the complete range of RYA courses on both sail and power. There is also a wide range of other course which might be suitable for participants in World Cruising Club events. Some examples are;

• RYA / ISAF Offshore Safety Course
• RYA 1 st Aid
• Sea Survival
• MCA/STCW Medical First Aid Aboard Ship and MCA/STCW Medical Care Aboard Ship
• Own Boat Tuition
• Yacht Maintenance

For any information about any courses we offer please contact us in the office.

Hydrovane is pleased to be the World Cruising Corporate Member from the self steering sector – as we believe self steering to be the back-bone of a cruising lifestyle at sea.

The unique HYDROVANE is a 'next generation' self steering system . It matches or betters the features of any other system for: ease of use, performance, versatility and reliability. The bonus is that is both:

• Self Steering System
• Emergency Rudder and Steering 'Ready to Go'.

Dating back to the seventeenth century, Imray are the oldest nautical publishing house in Europe. Their list of charts and books for yachtsmen provide unrivalled coverage of popular cruising areas around the world.

Of particular interest to transatlantic yachtsmen is the Imray range of water-resistant charts for the Caribbean Islands. These full colour charts feature detailed plans of the main harbours and cruising guide information on the reverse. Water resistant charts are also available for Europe and the UK.

Created in 1984, LAGOON was the direct extension of Jeanneau's racing division (Jeanneau Advanced Technologies). Today, LAGOON belongs to the Custom Yacht Division of the Beneteau Group (the world's largest recreational boat builder) and proposes an exclusive choice of cruising catamarans with the major architectural contribution coming from Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost. With the strength and talent obtained from its diverse experience, LAGOON has at its disposal an unequalled technical know-how and mastery of composite construction, to which the many individual owners, racers, and charter customers can bear witness.

Mactra Marine Equipment specialise in equipment for serious blue water sailors and liveaboards. UK Exclusive dealer in Schenker Watermakers and official distributor for Katadyn watermakers. New Generation watermakers specially designed for yachts where power is often an issue. From Katadyn’s 06 Survivor, the worlds smallest hand operated watermaker for liferafts & grab bags through to the Schenker range which start at 30 litres of produced water per hour for just 8amps at 12V to the Modular 210 producing 210 litres water per hour using 24V DC or 220V AC. Models have an option to be fitted with analogue and digital controls performing automatic water making and fresh water flushing actions. Mactra Marine give a full back up service to their carefully selected products with owner’s workshop sessions and vessel installation surveys.

Since 2002 MailASail has been operating an accelerated email service offering up to 90% reduction in call costs. It is of particular interest to cruisers using Iridium or mobile phones.

MailASail can also supply Iridium phones, airtime and mobile phone connectivity at competitive prices. A "Blue Water Cruising" bundle is available to World Cruising Club event participants and we also offer a complete installation and training service for customers who prefer to have their communications set up professionally.

MailASail will be in Las Palmas before the start of the ARC to provide on-site communications support prior to the event.

Marlec’s marine Rutland Windchargers have been battery charging on board yachts worldwide since 1979. The Rutland 913 and Rutland 503 models are a popular sight in marinas and are renowned for their quiet operation and unique alternator design which delivers power from low wind speeds. We would be glad to discuss your energy requirements and in particular how a Rutland will deliver more power than similar and even larger wind turbines.

Marlec are the UK representative of SunWare and our own brand of Spectra semi-flexible solar panels as well as BP Solar glass panels. Where possible we recommend combined wind /solar systems to take advantage of the elements day, night and all year round for battery charging.

Ocean going yachts benefit from reduced engine running time and prolonged battery life so call our technical sales team today to discuss your charging requirements.

North Sails, the largest division of North Technology Group, is the world leader in sailmaking technology. North Sails holds the patent for 3Di, a unique composite construction process that produces high-performance sails that approach the shape holding of a rigid foil. North Sails is the sailmaker of choice on the majority of America’s Cup, Grand Prix, ocean race boats and Superyachts. North Sails is proud of our many successes on the racecourse, but did you know that more cruising sailors rely on North than any other sailmaker? At North Sails, we are passionate about performance.

Ocean Safety supply a high quality range of life saving equipment including liferafts, lifejackets, EPIRBs, the new SOLO Personal Location Beacon and pyrotechnics to both the leisure and commercial markets. We are able to service all marine safety equipment such as Liferafts, Lifejackets, Survival Suits, EPIRBs, SARTs, Fire Safety Equipment and MOB Systems. Please call our Training Department to find out about our Product Awareness training courses.

Peters & May has shipped boats, yachts and associated marine peripherals since 1988. The company now annually ships over 4,000 yachts and motorboats worldwide, supported by its numerous complementary divisions which are all designed to provide a complete and exemplary service to the marine industry.

Peters & May is the first choice of many of the world’s premier race teams, super-yachts and manufacturers, in addition to individual boat owners, offering flexible solutions that can be tailored to any logistical challenge the company is able to cater for any yacht or motorboat, large or small

Professional Yacht Deliveries is the specialist of choice for many of the leading names in the marine industry. PYD was founded in 1995 as a dedicated yacht delivery company and this core activity remains central to our business. Over the years, however, customers' demands have seen us broaden our provision progressively to embrace a wide range of ancillary services, including bespoke yacht management and own boat training. There is now almost no aspect of your yacht delivery, boat purchase or cruising plans where PYD cannot make a significant contribution. With a portfolio of commercial clients, including some of the world's most prestigious boat builders, charter companies and brokers, as well as hundreds of discerning and experienced private owners, PYD is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of seamanship and customer care. Whether the vessel is sail or motor, superyacht or family cruiser, and whatever or wherever the requirements, the PYD approach is always meticulous and thorough, but above all professional.

Traveleads is one of the UK’s leading travel companies – providing support to the corporate, sport and media/arts sectors. Many household name organisations rely on our skill and market awareness to maximise the value they derive from their travel spend, at the same time as ensuring that their travellers enjoy the best of care and great attention to detail.

Sailing with « clean-energy » independence

Simple to use, highly efficient and eco-friendly, the Watt&Sea Hydrogenerator is the ideal answer to your power supply problem!

Once a sailboat has left the docks, it’s totally isolated from shore power. The production of energy on board is then crucial to powering communications, navigation, lighting and other energy-consuming devices especially during extended passages!

Founded in 2009 by Yannick Bestaven, an experienced offshore racer and Matthieu Michou, a talented engineer, Watt&Sea is the inventor of the new generation of hydrogenerator, bringing more freedom, comfort and safety to the yachtsmen while reducing the impact to our planet and our reliance on diesel.

Multiple award winning for its innovation, the Watt&Sea hydrogenerator is the result of intensive research. Made of strong material, it easily installs and deploys off the stern of the cruising or racing vessel, efficiently generating the power needed for energy independence.

All Watt&Sea hydrogenerators can produce more power than is consumed by the boat! Thanks to its minimal drag and perfect hydrodynamics, the Cruising models produce 120W in 12 or 24V at 5 knots. Above 5 knots, the 500W generated by the system (40A-12V/20A-24V) enabling you to run all your required systems when sailing and still return with fully charged batteries.

Used by 95% of the boats on the last Vendée Globe Race, Watt&Sea hydrogenerators are fully reliable, while tested to withstand any weather conditions in the world’s toughest waters.

The YB Tracker is a well-proven, self-contained, fully-automatic satellite tracking device. It will accurately report its position from anywhere on Earth, including polar, ocean and desert regions. It is lightweight, waterproof and built to withstand extreme environments. YB Tracking improves media relations and generates public interest in remote events. Originally designed for Adventure Racing, it has applications in yacht racing, trekking, cycling, skiing, polar expeditions, mountaineering, gliding and many other activities that take place in areas where communications are challenging. YB's alert feature complements existing safety procedures, allowing teams to rapidly notify organisers of a problem. YB trackers are available to rent for individual or event use. .