A weekend of bluewater sailing knowledge
Ideal for anyone taking part in ARC 2025 or 2026, World ARC 2025-26 or simply dreaming about casting off and setting sail.
- When: Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 March 2025
- Where: Holiday Inn, Guildford, UK
- Timings: Saturday 09:00-21:00 (including dinner), Sunday 09:00-16:00
- Cost: £245 per person.
- 'Early bird' discount £25 per person if booked before 20 December 2024.
- £20 discount per person for all registered ARC 2025 and World ARC 2025-26 skippers and crew.
The Ocean Sailing Weekend covers a variety of subjects around the planning and preparation required for an offshore passage or round the world voyage. Speakers are chosen for their knowledge and expertise, and the event is an opportunity to learn from the experts and fellow cruisers.
Places are limited to 50 participants.
Format
A series of classroom presentations and break-out sessions led by industry experts, with opportunities for questions and one-to-one discussions. Alongside the presentations is a mini exhibition of relevant equipment and services, so you can talk about watermakers, power, insurance, safety and other useful things.
There is plenty of time for networking with fellow delegates and presenters in session breaks, over lunch and at the evening drinks and dinner.
Programme
Saturday 22 March
- Introduction
- Planning and problem prevention
- Sails and rigging
- Safety
- lunch
- Choice of breakout/workshop sessions on topics including: communications at sea, power, downwind sails, watermakers, doublehanded sailing, crew, spares & repairs
- Drinks followed by dinner and inspirational talk
Sunday 23 March
- Choice of breakout/workshop sessions on topics including: weather, multihulls, autopilots, provisioning, first aid, paperwork for cruising, below deck preparations
- lunch
- Timings and countdown to departure
- Pre-departure checklist
- Skipper panel
- Question time
Note: More information on session presenters coming soon. Delegates will choose breakout sessions in advance.
Included: The cost includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, lunch on Sunday and breaks on both days.
Accommodation: Accommodation is available at the Holiday Inn - details here.
"It was a very comprehensive programme. Very useful, and at the same time enjoyable." Peter Hesleden
"An excellent programme that I would recommend to anybody considering joining the ARC - or making a long passage. Very well organised right down to the table plans which encouraged gave good opportunities to meet others and encouraged debate." Ian Forshew
"The program was very well organised and professionally run. The organisers were very visible, seemed interested in meeting each participant, were enthusiastic, entertaining and informative." Carol Giles