Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges - Experience extreme ocean racing

by Patianne Verburgh on 15 Jan 2013 A unique opportunity for individuals with all levels of sailing ability to experience first-hand an extreme ocean racer is now being offered by Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges. The Volvo Ocean 60 Amer Sports One has been built to a set of strict one-design rules to race around the world with professional crew. Derek Hatfield and his team with their experience from three round the world races now offer sailors the chance to experience the sheer exhilaration and sense of accomplishment that comes with completing an offshore passage on a world-class sailing yacht.

As in business and in life, success on the water depends on strong teamwork, leadership, communication and a competitive spirit. Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges draws on all of its combined experience in offshore sailing to take Individuals on the adventure of a lifetime.

'Our goal is to give the crew a sense of real participation in all facets of sailing one of these ocean greyhounds. Everyone participates in the experience including food preparation, manuevers on deck, navigation, sail handling, tactics and helming. No prior experience is required.' - Skipper, Derek Hatfield

The Volvo Ocean 60 will be used for offshore sailing sessions that will allow participants to experience world-class grand prix sailboats sailing on the North Atlantic.
Crew can expect to learn about:
- Helming & Sail Handling techniques
- Offshore cruising & racing tactics
- Navigation Weather analysis
- Nutrition
- Sleep Patterns
- Psychological factors
- Safety while at sea
- Sail selection
- Communications
- Emergency medical procedures

Discovery Sailing and Ocean Challenges join forces to provide enhanced RYA sail training. With Discovery Sailing, an RYA Training Centre in Nova Scotia, the RYA Competent Crew and Watch Leader practical courses as well as ocean mileage building and RYA Yachtmaster Ocean qualifying passages are now available aboard the Volvo 60. RYA qualifications are known and respected the world over. For a list of available RYA courses see Discovery Sailing website and for a list of Ocean passages see Spirit of Canada website.

Ocean Sailing Dates
April 14th Canaries - Lunenburg
May 17th Lunenburg - Bermuda
May 25th Bermuda - Lunenburg
June 14th Lunenburg - Bermuda
June 22nd Bermuda - Lunenburg
Oct. 19th Lunenburg – Canaries
Nov 23rd The Arc Transatlantic Race; Las Palmas – St. Lucia

Spirit of Canada website
Discovery Sailing website