World Cruising Club announces ARC Youth Team initiative

2019 marks the 30th consecutive year that the ARC has arrived in Saint Lucia, as well as the 40th anniversary of the Caribbean country’s Independence. To celebrate and acknowledge this landmark anniversary, the organisers of the rally, World Cruising Club, have created a unique and incredible opportunity to allow up to twelve young people a funded position to sail across the Atlantic as a team in this year’s ARC.

The opportunity is open to twelve young residents of Gran Canaria and Saint Lucia, aged 18-25. Successful applicants will act as true international ambassadors for their respective islands and countries.

Together, they will sail across the Atlantic Ocean with ARC 2019 as The ARC Youth Team, on-board a 72ft Challenge sailing yacht managed and owned by Tall Ships Sail Training Adventures, accompanied on-board by a professional, experienced Skipper and Mate, and two qualified Watch Leaders.

Information for Applicants
Applications for youth interested in being crew on-board the ARC Youth Team yacht are now open. Those interested should read the full Applicant Information Pack – in English here or Spanish here  and then complete the crew application (available only in English) here: https://tinyurl.com/ARCYT-ApplicationForm to apply. The deadline for crew applications is Friday 7 June. 

The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean will be an incredible adventure for the young participants, and one that they will all remember for the rest of their lives. It will be hard work, but also challenging; spectacular; educational; rewarding; confidence-building; and a lesson in team-building.

It will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the youth of today to develop their essential life skills for tomorrow. At the same time, the ARC Youth Team voyage offers an enviable chance to be truly disconnected from the distractions of modern life – no mobile phones, no Wi-Fi, no computers, no television.

Crew requirements needed to apply

• Aged between 18-25 years (age on 1 October 2019)
• Basic level of spoken English (safety requirement)
• Available from Friday 15 November to Tuesday 17 December 2019 inclusive
• Full passport valid until at least July 2020
• Sailing experience to the level of RYA Competent Crew or equivalent
• A reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility
• Be a team player and keen for a challenge - the correct attitude is more important than sailing ability

Successful applicants will be encouraged to raise additional funds in their local communities to help them offset any small additional personal costs. This process also allows them to share some of the responsibility and commitment, and take personal pride in their achievement.

Information for Benefactors
World Cruising Club will be sponsoring two full funded places on board the ARC Youth Team Yacht, and are seeking additional benefactors to help cover the cost for the remaining youth crew. 100% of the donations will go towards the ARC Youth Team crew costs. World Cruising Club is providing all project organisation and administration at no charge to Sponsors.

Individuals, companies and organisations interested in being involved in supporting this positive initiative are encouraged to request a copy of the ARC Youth Team Information Pack (in either English or Spanish) by contacting the Project Coordinator Nick Martin as soon as possible on [email protected]

Information for Press
Press Releases (in English and Spanish), images, logos and more information for journalists are available in the ARC Youth Team Media Zone available here: https://shwca.se/ARCYT_MediaZone This information will be updated as the project develops.

For further media relating to World Cruising Club, the ARC or individual requests, please contact Sarah Collins on [email protected] or use the Media Request Form