The wait is over for those who have already arrived in Las Palmas as the ARC+ office and information centre opened on Wednesday 26th October, with the World Cruising Club ‘Yellow Shirts’ team welcoming crews from around the world to the start of their Atlantic adventure. Following months of preparation and planning, finally ARC+ 2022 has commenced. Let the fun begin!
With over 70 boats already in Las Palmas Marina ahead of the start, the flurry of ARC+ rally flags flying high amidst the Canarian blue sky, makes a colourful sight. The unique atmosphere and buzz created by the influx of participants from over 25 different nations is welcomed by all and signals the start of this eagerly anticipated annual event. It’s great to be back…
As the ARC+ doors opened, it was good to meet in person those joining the rally for the first time, as well as others who have taken part several times before. Experienced cruisers Jean and Christine Metz were amongst the first participants to Check In with the rally team - they have previously sailed the ARC in 2014 and circumnavigated with World ARC 2015-16 and will head into the Pacific once again with World ARC 2023.
Coming up this week are some key social events on the ARC+ programme, which began with the first sundowner drinks last night. With Covid restrictions lifted, the ARC+ programme returns in full force with a multitude of social activities, including Sundowner Drinks most nights, Crew Dinners, and the infamous costume party taking place next Wednesday with a '70's Disco' theme.
Assisting the with preparations, seminars begin next week, covering a wide variety of topics, including: emergency navigation, management of emergencies, rigging Q&A, a double handed workshop, satellite communications, provisioning, wonders of the sky, SSB net controllers briefing, Grenada preview and route and weather guide for the Atlantic crossing. The SAR Air-Sea helicopter demonstration with a chance to watch a simulated evacuation of a casualty from a yacht by the rescue services is always popular.
ARC+ always attracts a large number of family boats and this year is no exception, with 18 boats sailing across to Grenada with a record 36 children on board, aged between 3 to 16 years. The majority of family boats are already gathered together on ‘S’ Dock in Las Palmas Marina and some of the children have met already as they made their way down to the Canaries. The ARC+ Kids Club is run in association with Federacion de Vela and offers plenty of exciting activities for young participants next week, and Saturday a Kids Fun Afternoon is planned followed by a barbecue for the family boats.
Families and all ARC+ participants will certainly enjoy a trip out of the marina tomorrow, Friday, as they head up into the hills of Gran Canaria where they will help plant trees as part of the ARC Forest project on Sunday. More than 2,000 trees have been planted, contributing to the island’s environment and helping to support the ecosystem.
With 93 boats in this year’s ARC+, the World Cruising Club team in Las Palmas look forward to welcoming the remainder of those still to arrive and to getting the ARC+ 2022 programme off to a full swing.
To keep up with all the news, please visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/arcrally/, instagram @arc_rally and via Twitter @ARCrally.