Hummingbird Blogette,
Wednesday 20th Saturday 23rd November 2024
Some crew arrived onboard Tuesday evening, but most were around by Wednesday am and ready to get stuck into some training, familiarisation and bonding.
World Cruising Club, organisers of ARC 2024 had arranged a mix of useful daytime seminars, early evening Sundowner drinks, a costume party (more about that later), and a Farewell Party for the crews from the 140 or so boats are excitedly preparing for the rally start on Sunday.
We checked out some of the beautiful vessels on our pontoon, all loading supplies, checking lines, scrubbing decks and briefing crews in the days leading up to the start.
Our very own mate Alex was spotted beavering away rather secretly on Wednesday, with safety pins scissors and some sparkly jewels. With no word to anybody of his intentions, we were greeted at the Costume Party by Alex donning a fabulous Poseidon toga and a bejewelled trident. Later to be crowned Best Dressed Male Crew. This prompted attention from many attendees, all offering free beer tokens, which Alex generously shared amongst the Hummingbird crew.
Pre -departure training was delivered expertly by both skipper Patrick and mate Alex over the preceding days, with a training sail to include a MOB exercise, briefings on spinnaker, storm sails and general safety and maintenance.
Sunday 24th November- Rally Start Day
It's start day and the excitement is building on board! It was great to see the turnout from the local residents of Las Palmas and we felt a little bit like celebrities as people walked the promenade and took pictures and videos of us as we made our final preparations.
Then we cast off from the dock at the same time as many others which is a bit nerve racking in a crowded marina with many large boats, some of which looked very expensive and luxurious and maybe even a bit easier to sail! Not for us though, we were here to learn the skills of hanked on foresails and symmetrical spinnakers that modern furling sailing systems can't.
It was quite a spectacle as we put our sails up and saw the rest of the fleet beside us getting ready for the start. Everyone was waving to the crowd, and we heard from some our loved ones that they saw us on the ARC Live website. The countdown started in a racing style and we were very happy with how we crossed the start line right on time and on starboard tack.
We started heading South and it was surprising how long it took us to leave the island of Gran Canaria behind, although we were happy with the lighter winds that let us play with our sail plan and settle down into our watch routines, waiting for the dreaded mal de mer!
Which seasickness medication we each chose to try and how effective it is, was a major topic of conversation during the day. Everyone onboard had some form of sailing experience and no one was fearful of what we were about to experience, we just needed to get through it!
Luckily for Hummingbird we also have a doctor as one of our crew for advice, as well as many other diversely skilled crew, and of course a highly experienced Skipper and Mate.
We are well prepared, and ready to head into the big blue!
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Oh yeah, the first full day at sea. Time to settle into life on the rolling blue we have been missing and dreaming about during the weeks of preparation and anticipation for the ARC 2024. The crew is leaning the boat, the sails, and the lines with each maneuverer. Thanks to the patient instruction of all the details by our wonderful Skipper and Mate, the crew is in joyous spirits and there is lots of laughter throughout the boat. Hold Fast.