Hicko recommends a Mariner Boating Holiday

by Roger Hickman on 1 Aug 2011 I recently returned from an exciting adventure holiday on the beautiful coast of Croatia which was organized by Mariner Boating Holidays. Well want can I say? It was just a wonderful experience in every sense of the word.

The superb waters of the Croatian Coast between Split and Dubrovnik are simply magnificent. Every aspect of these cruising waters from sailing, swimming, anchoring and even racing was excellent. The islands were breathtaking – historic towns, culture, food and wine some special dinners and party activities included in the program made this holiday the very best.

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The social interaction of the crews on this boating experience was a delight; the sixty odd like-minded members of the rally were really fantastic, the fun atmosphere and the upbeat nature of the rally proved to be a highlight in my boating experiences.

Racing on the nearly new, well maintained ten Beneteau First 45’s was really enjoyable, the boat sailed very well and some very close racing ensued. Mariner Boating took on the ‘on-water maintenance’ and while the boats were perfect there was the odd a job to do. Mariner Boating also did the on water race management and as we know a good race means a good party and that certainly happened after each of the five short races.

This wonderful experience would never have been so enjoyable if the Mariner Boating team had not done such a superb job. From organizing the air travel, to transfer from the airport, joining the yachts, the first race, the first restaurant party, directions to beautiful anchoring spots, to a favorite coffee house, just everything was so well prepared and so well executed that this experience left us with the very best memories. The only thing a Mariner Boating Holiday does not have is…. frustration - Mariner takes care of everything!

I was so very lucky to win this amazing holiday as a prize, but everyone on this Croatian adventure assured me that the experiences was worth every cent. In fact everybody I speak to that has been on a Mariner Boating Holiday has raved about every aspect of their holiday.

It is with the upmost sincerity that I thoroughly recommend the Mariner Boating Yacht Rally experience to you. May I simply say 'Just go with Mariner – everything is done!'

Hicko. (Roger Hickman)

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Roger Hickman (Profile)
Roger Hickman is a Master Mariner, having spent 20 years as a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy where he attained the rank of Captain. His father introduced him to ocean racing at the age of 3 and he went on to represent Australia in a dinghy class in his late teens.

Roger has competed in 34 Sydney to Hobart races, winning the George Adams Tattersalls Cup in 1993 on Wild Oats, and again on Ausmaid in 2000. He has also won the Sydney to Mooloolaba race, won the Sydney Southport race twice and had many other podium finishes in Australian east coast races including the Brisbane to Gladstone race.

Roger has also represented Australia in the Admirals Cup in UK and the Kenwood Cup in Hawaii. He was involved in Australia’s America’s Cup campaign in 1995.

Roger has managed and skippered a number of high profile and successful sailing campaigns including Ausmaid, Ichi Ban, Atara and Limit where he recently commissioned the Reichel-Pugh 63 for the 2008 Sydney to Hobart race. He also sails his own Farr 43 Wild Oats, an Etchells and a Laser.

In 1997 Roger was awarded CYCA Australian Ocean Racing Yachtsman of the Year and received a Queens Australia Day Sports Medal in 2000 for services to the sport of yachting.

Roger has serve as a Flag Officer of the CYCA and President of Yachting NSW.