Las Palmas Marina - A hive of activity with ARC preparations in full swing

ARC © World Cruising Club

So far, 122 of the ARC fleet have arrived here in Las Palmas. Over the next couple of days, we are looking forward to welcoming the final 30 yachts ahead of the official opening ceremony on Sunday. Of those already here, 87 have checked in and the safety team have completed pre departure checks on 66 yachts.

Those yachts that arrived earlier in the season are looking relaxed as they make their final preparations. Around them is a hive of activity as the more recent arrivals settle into Las Palmas life and work on their job lists.

Informative Seminars

Today marks the start of our ARC Seminar programme hosted by Real Club Nautico. All included in the ARC package.

Kicking off the programme Chris Tibbs outlines strategies for the management of emergencies onboard. Covering likely challenges, potential solutions, and useful emergency supplies. All were brought to life with real-world examples and personal experience.

Claire Pengelly's ever popular provisioning seminar covers galley safety, fridge and freezer management, storage plans and many other top tips to make your life easier onboard. Including the formula to work out how many toilet rolls you are going to need!

As a professional meteorologist, Chris Tibbs gives an excellent seminar on routing and weather. Covering possible weather systems, with particular focus on squalls which are always a feature of ARC crossings. Chris also highlights the best sources of weather forecasts and charts.

Will Spencer from White Dot Sailing shares his knowledge on preparing your rig for Trade Wind Sailing, as well as all-important pre-departure checks and those to do during the crossing. With Bojan Michiels van Kessenich from Bomarine covering downwind sailing.

For those who have chosen to sail the ARC double handed we run a workshop for participants to meet others and share experiences and tips on sailing two up. This workshop is delivered by Andrew and Swade Pickersgill members of the WCC team - experienced double handed circumnavigators.

ARC seminars are always well attended by ARC first timers and repeat participants alike. Seminars are recorded and uploaded to the ARC Members area, so participants can rewatch in their own time, should they wish to do so.