Ocean Sailing Weekend 2025 UK
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 or ARC+ 2025 and World ARC 2026-27 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
TRAINING FEATURES
Weather for Sailors
Dates throughout 2025, Southampton UK
Hamble School of Yachting are running several 2-day weather courses in 2025. These take place in Hamble, near Southampton UK.
Click here for more info...
Webinars at 16:00 UTC/11am US ET in English
English language webinars at 16:00 UTC, 11am North American Eastern Time. The schedule will be updated regularly - please check back
Click here for more info...
boot Dusseldorf
18-26 January 2025, Dusseldorf, Germany
We're exhibiting at Europe's largest indoor boat show. Come and see us in Hall 10, stand E30 and lets talk about making your bluewater dreams a reality.
Click here for more info...
Contest Yachts Open House - NLD
5 April 2025, Medemblik Netherlands
We're running bluewater seminars at the Contest Yachts Open House 2025. Come and see how these famous yachts are made with a factory tour and meet top-quality marine suppliers. Kom naar het jaarlijkse Contest Yachts Open Huis in Medemblik. Bezoekers krijgen de mogelijkheid om jachten uit het Contest-assortiment – inclusief de geheel nieuwe 19 meter lange Contest 63CS
Click here for more info...
Caribbean Rendezvous - Saint Lucia
April 20, Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia
Our traditional Caribbean Rendezvous is for all current, past and future rally sailors. A relaxed and fun social evening in Rodney Bay Marina with rum punch and light bites.
Click here for more info...
Bluewater Day - USA
Sunday May 3, 2024. Annapolis MD, USA
Interested in buying or equipping a yacht for bluewater cruising? Sign-up for our free Bluewater Day in Annapolis MD and learn from experienced cruisers and marine experts, see ARC-ready yachts and talk to their owners. Meet fellow cruisers and catch-up with old friends.
Click here for more info...
Bluewater Day - UK
17 May 2025, Lymington UK
Interested in buying a bluewater cruiser or want to see what an ARC-ready boat really looks like? Come to our Bluewater Day hosted by Berthon in Lymington. Includes presentations, one-to-one chats with skippers who have done the ARC andARC-ready boats.
Click here for more info...
Bluewater Dag - Sverige
14 juni 2024, Värmdö Sverige.
Om du planerar att segla ARC eller World ARC och är intresserad av hjälp med att välja båt eller utrustning för en oceansegling, så är du varmt välkommen till vår Blue Water öppna dag på Bullandö Marina utanför Stockholm.
Click here for more info...
Cruisers' Question Time - UK
20 September 2024, Southampton, UK
A popular two-hour Q&A session featuring real-life boat owners and crew sharing their knowledge and experience of ocean sailing.Cost £10 includes a Southampton Boat Show e-ticket.
Click here for more info...
World ARC Seminar - UK
21 September 2025, Southampton UK
Interested in sailing round the world with World ARC? Come to our free breakfast presentation to learn more about the rally and the practicalities of circumnavigating. Join us in the morning then head over to Southampton Boat Show to look at boats and equipment.
Click here for more info...
Sailing South Seminar - UK
27 September, Southampton UK
The Sailing South Seminar is ideal for anyone planning to cross the Bay of Biscay and cruise the coast of Portugal before heading to the Canary Islands or into the Mediterranean. Aimed at those considering joining ARC Portugal or ARC, but everyone is welcome.
Click here for more info...
Annapolis Sailboat Show - USA
October 9-13, 2025, Annapolis MD
Come and talk to the World Cruising Club team on our booth at Annapolis Sailboat Show. We're happy to answer any questions and talk about all aspects of ocean sailing
Click here for more info...
World ARC Presentation - USA
Friday October 10, Annapolis MD
Breakfast presentation on the World ARC circumnavigation rally - route, options, boats and crew. Join us to learn more about sailing round the world with World ARC.
Click here for more info...
Sailing an Atlantic Circuit - USA
Saturday October 11, Annapolis MD
Join our breakfast seminar to answer your questions about sailing from North America for summer in Europe, and back to the Caribbean with the famous ARC rally. Or maybe you're considering buying a boat in Europe and sailing it home - plenty of people do. Click to read more...
Click here for more info...
Training Courses for Bluewater Cruisers
Hamble School of Yachting offer rally participants exclusive training dates and discounted prices for the ISAF Offshore Safety course, RYA Sea Survival and RYA First Aid courses. These are highly recommended for any skippers and crew going offshore, and especially for anyone participating in or considering the ARC, ARC Portugal and World ARC.
Click here for more info...