Greater London South West Explorer Scouts Baltic Tall Ships Race 23 rd July 3 rd August 2019
Contents Introduction... 3 The Ship, Thermopylae Clipper... 3 Who can apply to go?... 4 Timeline... 5 Costs... 6 Safety Equipment... 6 Kit List... 6 Leaders... 7 Contact Details... 7 Sign up... 7 GLSW Explorer Scouts In Partnership with
Introduction Are you up for the ultimate sailing challenge, Greater London South West Explorer Scouts have the honour of crewing one of the races in the 2019 Baltic Tall Ships Races. The Tall Ships Races are a long-standing tradition going back over 60 years and each one has been a huge success ever since. Today, the Races attract a diverse fleet of international vessels from up to 30 different countries. They can bring up to four million visitors and 400 media representatives to the ports the vessels visit. The fun really starts once you ve signed up for a sail training adventure.. Nothing can quite prepare you for the unforgettable atmosphere of racing. Picture yourself sailing on a beautiful Tall Ship, way out at sea, with the waves crashing against the hull, no land in sight, the sun rising behind you, and your closest competitor hot on your heels. Races are broken down into legs, or races. You ll race from Bergen in Norway to Aarhus in Denmark. We want everyone who takes part to have fun but don t forget that it s a race, with lots of trophies and prizes up for grabs. The vessel GLSW explorers have the privilege of crewing is Thermopylae Clipper operated by the Discovery Sailing Project (DSP). Some of you may have sailed with DSP before as they are members of the UK Scout association. The Ship, Thermopylae Clipper Thermopylae Clipper is a 60ft cutter rig yacht, purpose built in 1996 for the Clipper Round the World Races. She was named after the famous tea clipper of 1868, which was one of the fastest ships in the China tea trade. Thermopylae Clipper competed in four round the world races as - Leeds Clipper- and -Hong Kong Clipper- before reverting to her original name. Thermopylae Clipper became the third yacht in Discovery Sailing Project's fleet in 2007 where she has taken many young people on Sail Training voyages and competes regularly in the International Tall Ships Races. Thermopylae Clipper is the largest yacht in Discovery Sailing Project s fleet of three. She is a very seaworthy and spacious yacht perfectly suited to Sail Training. She is a very hands on vessel, meaning that each individual on board plays an essential role. Life on board is friendly and fun and there s always plenty to do to keep you occupied.
Sail handling and helming to navigation and boat maintenance as well as bread baking, playing games and the occasional sing a long! The philosophy is that teamwork makes a team work everyone mucks in and has fun doing so including the Skipper! All of the DSP volunteer sea staff are highly trained and qualified. They ensure high quality instruction, and are regulated by the MCA, who uphold the highest levels of safety to ensure that trainees have an exhilarating voyage. Thermopylae Clipper is fitted out to accommodate 15 people; usually ten crew and five sea staff. She is extraordinarily spacious and airy compared to other yachts her size and boasts comfortable bunks, plenty of personal stowage space and large galley & communal spaces. Accommodation is set out in two main sleeping areas with four bunks forwards, ten at mid-ships and the skippers cabin in the stern. There is also a designated navigation room which contains modern electronic navigation systems in addition to the all-important traditional navigation methods which you will learn a thing or two about during your voyage. Who can apply to go? Explorer Scouts and Explorer Scout Young Leaders who are members of Greater London South West Scout County that will be at least 15 years old on the 23 rd July 2019 eg. born on or before 23 rd July 2004 If you would like to be part of the crew you will need to attend one of the two selection taster weekends in September 2018, details can be found in the timeline below. The selection weekends will be a weekend sailing on one of Discovery Sailing Projects two larger yachts (Thermopylae Clipper or Discovery DSP) on the Solent. We will meet at a convenient point to be agreed near the A3 and travel to Discovery Sailing Projects base on the River Hamble by mini bus. We will spend the weekend living aboard and sailing this will be a fantastic fun weekend even if you are not successful in getting a place on the Tall Ships Race. There are 10 crew spaces available on the Tall Ships Race, and these will go to those who excel; who show true team work and enthusiasm throughout the selection weekend. If you were not successful in gaining a place on the Tall Ships Race you may be offered a place on one of the delivery or return legs. You will find details of how to sign up for the selection weekend on the last page of this document. There are 34 places available on the selection weekend and will be issued first come first served. Sign up for places will close on the 1 st August 2018. The cost of the selection weekend includes transport to and from the River Hamble. Once you have signed up you will be sent a link to an online application form, we will also contact your explorer leader for a reference.
Timeline 1 st July 2018 Application Deadline 1 st August 2018 Places on Selection / Taster Weekends confirmed 21 st 23 rd September 2018 1 st Selection / Taster weekend 12 th 14 th October 2018 2 nd Selection / Taster Weekend 21 st October 2018 Selection of race crew made 5 th -7 th April 2019 Training Weekend 23 rd July 2019 Travel to Bergan, Norway Meet the Ship 24 th July 2019 Parade of Sail Tall Ships Race starts 1 st August 2019 Tall Ships Race finishes in Aarhus, Denmark 2 nd August 2019 Awards Ceremonies Crew Parade & Parties 3 rd August 2019 Travel Home * All participants are expected to attend 1 of the selection / taster weekends, and if selected for the Tall Ships race, the training weekend in April 2019.
Costs The cost of this fantastic international trip is broken down as follows: Selection / Taster weekend 136.50 Training weekend 136.50 Tall Ships Race 550.00 Travel to Bergan & home from Aarhus TBC (estimated 160.00) Travel Insurance 35.00 Anticipated total cost 1000.00 (travel cost to be confirmed) Safety Equipment Thermopylae Clipper is a coded vessel; this ensures compliance with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency rules. The yacht and her equipment is independently surveyed annually Personal safety equipment: when you join the vessel, you will be issued with a life jacket harness and safety strop; you will receive a briefing on how use the equipment. Kit List Sleeping bag Pillow and pillowcase Wash and shower kit Towel(s) Clothes to travel and go ashore in Tracksuit bottoms / Trousers (No Denim) Sweaters or fleeces T-shirts Underwear Thick socks Woolly hat Gloves (to protect your hands when handling ropes) 2 pairs soft soled shoes / trainers No wellies please (Shoes may get wet) You will be loaned a set of sailing waterproofs but please bring a waterproof / windproof jacket for going ashore in. Sunglasses and sun cream UV rays are stronger at sea Camera if you wish (please note personal belongings are not covered under your included insurance) A few carrier bags / black bags Please pack these into a soft holdall. Due to the limited storage space please do not bring suitcases or framed rucksacks.
Leaders Ben Pearcy Explorer Scout Leader (Sutton District) Member of Discovery Sailing Project First sailed: 2000 Junior Mate Ben is an Explorer Scout Leader within GLSW County and an active member of the DSP. He has a true passion for both Scouting and sailing. As well as his sense of fun Ben brings a host of Scouting experience to the table enabling him to ensure the best time is had by all on board. Charlie Waterhouse Sectional Assistant Explorers (Sutton District) Member of Discovery Sailing Project First sailed: 1998 Junior Mate Charlie has been Sail Training since the age of 13 and joined DSP in 2003 as a watch leader. She has experience sailing in multiple Tall Ships Races and Cruise and Company legs throughout the years. Her enthusiasm for Sail Training, commitment to the development of young people and innate silliness ensure the young people on board learn as much as possible whilst having a great time. Contact Details If you have any questions please email Ben & Charlie on the following email address and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Email: baltictsr@explorer-scouts.org.uk Sign up To book a place on one of our selection taster weekends please visit: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/epj Note: no previous sailing experience is required and no favour will be given based on previous experience.