There’s plenty of activity around the docks of Las Palmas marina as boats settle in for the busy two week programme before setting off on ARC 2016. The first ARC Sundowner took place yesterday evening with crews meeting one another and sharing stories about their trips down to the Canary Islands over a drink or two. Today’s seen the check-in team busy welcoming new arrivals, and the safety inspectors visiting boats to check equipment on board. Crews have been checking off items on the jobs list, like servicing winches and deep cleaning lockers below, and talking to the many service companies on site to ensure their systems are in good working order.
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Safety check on La Contenta | Winch servicing on Peristera | The SSB experts from Yachtfunk,
Yacht Com & Sailcom |
There are plenty of activities organised by the ARC over the coming days - the aim of the programme is to help crews prepare and also relax before the voyage, so come start day everyone's in the best possible shape for the crossing. For crews already in Las Palmas, information about the programme is available in the Shop, via daily emails and morning broadcasts and in the pack of information provided at check-in.
During the day, crews are encouraged to explore beyond the marina. Participants are invited plant trees in the ARC Forest (Friday 11), supporting a local initiative that has seen thousands of trees planted by crews over the past six years. There's also the chance to take a bus tour exploring the mountains and views of Gran Canaria or a guided walk around the old city of Las Palmas. A new visit for 2016 is a trip to Higuera Mayor Bodega which makes award winning red wine sold locally in the best restaurants. The Tourist Information office located next to the ARC Terrace helps crews discover the many local highlights.
The extensive ARC seminar programme begins on Thursday and covers topics from provisioning to rigging, electronics to down wind sailing. Held at the Real Club Nautico during the first week, and Hotel Santa Catalina in week two, these seminars provide plenty of practical information for the crossing and top tips from the experienced ARC team with thousands of ocean miles of knowledge to share.
On the morning of Thursday 17 safety demonstrations take place, where the local lifeboat and rescue helicopter demonstrate high line transfers, our safety team demonstrate how to fire flares, and we run a 'get wet' session with a liferaft in the swimming pool.
The ARC is known to be a very social rally, and there are parties and events for crews almost every night. The programme began on Friday with the official ARC+ Farewell & ARC Welcome party, a spectacular night hosted by the Las Palmas City Council.
The nightly Sundowners in the Federacion de Vela (next to the ARC Offices) are an opportunity to get off the boat, to mix and mingle and to get the evening started. It’s fascinating to hear the buzz of many languages as crews meet one another and share tips and experiences of the boat preparations.
Continuing the social theme, there are Crew Suppers for all boats, and special suppers for the family boats and those sailing with just two people.
Younger ARC participants aged between 6 and 16 years are welcome to join a week-long kid's club in week two. This gives parents a chance to get the boat ready in peace and quiet, and the youngsters something interesting to do outside the marina. The kid's club is run by professionals, and takes the children dinghy sailing, on excursions around the island, visits to museums and to fun parks.