6 Reasons to Take Part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
It’s all too easy to fall into your comfort zone and to a degree we all do. I’d fallen into that trap, I'd literally become bored with everything; it wasn’t even a midlife crisis, just sheer boredom, possibly even stagnation; some people like that continued familiarity, but I just wanted to do something new, to have a challenge and of course there's the excitement of escapism too, which attracted me and so many other people; you're so far away from home that if something needed sorting it couldn't and that's quite a liberating feeling. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race gave me that. Don’t think it’s an easy ride, it’s not; when you’re at sea it’s hard, you’re living in a small capsule with up to 24 other people for weeks at time, you hot bunk, (where as you get out, somebody gets in) you have sleep deprivation, if you don’t have an imaginative victualler on board food can be downright boring and mundane, and there's also the damp clothes, but it was one of the, if not the best time of my life. Would I do it again? Yes.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race recently started its 40,000 mile circumnavigation around the world, starting this year from Liverpool, taking on the adventure are over 700 people.
Here’s 6 reasons why you need to sign up for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race:
#1 – Me First for Once. Always putting other people and work first?? Never prioritise what you want to do? Need a challenge?! This is definitely for you then!! Not only do you get to learn to sail, but you get to have a great time both on and off the boat. Joining the Race gives you a freedom that you (probably) wouldn’t have had since your teenage/university days; an opportunity to get away from the stresses of life and just enjoy yourself.
Worried about that your husband, wife, boy/girl friend or partner might not necessarily agree with 'me first for once', just tell them all about the benefits they'll get out of it – #1 free from you for a period of time; #2 travel to great places that you may never have thought of going to; #3 a great social calendar at the end of each leg, and #4 a supporters/family network – four great reasons to get them to come on board to your way of thinking.
#2 - It'll Challenge You. Well you’ll certainly get that; possibly one of the ultimate challenges that you can get involved in, particularly if you haven’t sailed before, more people have climbed Everest than circumnavigated the world. Whether you sign up for the full circumnavigation or take on a leg or individual legs, you’ll be tested, challenged, go through self-doubt – but hell it’s worth it and you'll come out the other end a different person. You’ll develop a totally different skill set. It will test your tolerance, compassion and support for other people and you’ll realise the importance of communicating and working as a team – there is no other opportunity like this on the planet and you’ll be part of a band of brothers for life and make friends for life. One of the other great lessons I learnt, was how little you need to have in your life and you'll discover what’s really important in life, and it isn't money, your materalistic things, it can be as simple as life.
#3 – Meeting Amazing, like minded people – A great reason to do the Race; you’ll get to meet people, who let’s be realistic, you probably wouldn't get to meet in the real world, because of circumstance. It's not just UK based crew that take part, over forty nationalities do and for the first time in the Race's history, more crew come from abroad than the UK. A wide span of ages take part as well as different interests. One thing you'll notice when you sign up to the Race is that there isn't too much arrogance, the sea is a great leveller, it’s not about you, it’s about the team. Once in a team, always a team, whether at a macro or micro level. You'll teach people skills, they'll teach you. and not just about sailing Once part of the Clipper Race, always the Clipper Race; you’ll become part of the extended family and you’ll make friends for life.
#4 No Previous Experience Required – One of the Clipper Round the World taglines – The excuse, I've never sailed before won't wash with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race organisers - they'll train you. it’s true, over 40% of the people who sign up to the race have never stepped on to a boat, let alone sailed. No room for distinction between men and women, young and old; there’s room for everybody.
#5 Journey of Self Discovery – think you know everything about yourself? Sign up for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and you’ll find out that you don’t, but by the end of the journey you’ll know more about yourself that you could ever imagine. You’ll come back with a different mind set; how to deal with situations and people; how to manage your time and most importantly you’ll realise you’re more capable, resilient than you every thought you could be.
#6 – Single? Want to travel? Always stuck at home when all you ‘couple friends’ are off on another holiday Nobody to go with, then this provides the opportunity. That's exactly what it offered me. Doing the Race has allowed me to meet so many fantastic people, some will be friends for life. Just remember though it’s not a holiday when you’re on the boat; there’s lots of work involved – but it’ll be the best adventure you’ll ever take. It’s a great way to meet loads of other single people too ;-0 !!! Seriously, it’s great, you’ll make friends have great times on the boat and in port all within the supportive and social environment of your team and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race organisers.
www.clipperroundtheworld.com/apply