Clipper Race training involves 4 core weeks of training over about 18 months. The weeks are notoriously intense, they’re hard work, incredibly tiring and most definitely not for the faint hearted. Later this week I will be sailing off on my 1st week of Clipper Race training.
Week 1 is apparently the toughest. This is perhaps to do with the fact that it is the 1st time that most people will have lived in such an environment… i.e. a 70ft racing yacht out on the high seas, with 18 strangers! Working hard rigging decks and hauling sails, whilst at the same time learning continuously about the art of becoming a highly efficient crew member for an ocean yacht race.
Wondering what to take on your Clipper Race training week? This is my prep check…
Firstly, there’s the items that you need to bring with you. Having stayed on boats a lot recently I know that travelling light is going to be key, this has also been stressed by the training team. Generally people not used to the world of boating bring far too much ‘stuff’, most of which they won’t use and will just be in the way. I have packed the following…
- 2 pairs of thermal trousers
- 2 long sleeve thermal tops
- A neck gaiter (it will be really cold at night on deck!)
- A wooly hat
- Wellies (I don’t yet own sailing boots)
- Trainers
- 3 pairs of socks
- Underwear
- A jumper
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Baby wipes (I won’t be showering for 7 days!)
- Dry shampoo (although I am going to braid my hair tight, so hopefully I won’t need this… in theory I should remove it on the basis that it is non-essential)
- Sea sickness tablets and Seabands
- Passport and paperwork (including insurance and signed note from doctor confirming fitness to sail/race)
- Sleeping bag
- Travel pillow
- Easy dry travel towel
All of this will be packed in to a dry sack. I brought an 80l one which I’ve subsequently realised is far too big. A 30 or 40l would of been plenty big enough.
I brought most of my new kit from a fabulous company called Mountain Warehouse – great value for money and worth a look if you need to buy some new kit.
The other bit of prep of course is in terms of fitness. I started a new fitness regime and healthy eating program last week, in reality it’s a bit too late. But it’s a start and for the 2nd week of race training, I will be in a much better place fitness wise.
One final bit of prep is to read the 176 page manual which the Clipper Race team kindly sent through! I’m off to do that now…
You might also be interested to read: Clipper race training level one top tips
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