FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
i've never sailed before - is that a problem?
No. In lots of ways being a complete non-sailor is an advantage. Read more.
What should i expect on level 1 training?
Level 1 is your first experience of Clipper and I'd be very surprised if it disappoints. Read more.
what happens on level 2 training?
Level 2 is based largely on exposing crew to a proper 'sea phase'. The first day on the water is likely to be a refresher day, in the UK, sailing out of Gosport. From day 2 the training revolves around a 2 - 3 day sea phase including offshore passages and a night at anchor. The last day is spent debriefing crew and deep cleaning your yacht.
what happens on level 3 training?
Level 3 builds on the experience and training delivered in modules 1 and 2. Level 3 deals with spinnaker work and hones crew skills, downwind sailing and related crew safety issues and emergency drills.
what happens on level 4 training?
Level 4 is usually delivered by your race skipper. If you are late into training and the race has already left your Level 4 will usually be delivered by a former race skipper or one of the more experienced training skippers. The idea is that the crew are really put through their paces. The training includes an offshore race aswell as a number of compusory drills. The crew are encouraged to take charge of navigation and race tactics for at least part of the course.
spread out or 'binge it' - HOW TO PLAN MY TRAINING?
Hmmm. Hard to be definitive. It depends on where you live, how you spend your time and what legs you're doing. In general, I'd suggest you spread out levels 2, 3 and 4 with levels 3 and 4 close together and Level 2 no more than 6 months after Level 1.
It's a matter of not forgetting what you've learnt before your next course and not doing your last training too long before your leg. Check out our blogs on level 2, level 3 and level 4 to get an idea about what they are.
Whatever you do, make sure you stay on the water between training levels and the race.
It's a matter of not forgetting what you've learnt before your next course and not doing your last training too long before your leg. Check out our blogs on level 2, level 3 and level 4 to get an idea about what they are.
Whatever you do, make sure you stay on the water between training levels and the race.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR TRAINING?
Here, I can be pretty definitive!
If you are a round the worlder or racing legs 3, 6 or 8 then I'd definitely recommend you buy really good quality decent sailing boots sooner rather than later (you'll need them anyway) and also consider buying a good fleece-lined synthetic sleeping bag (check out our reviews). You can get away with cheaper boots for the other legs. There are other 'must-haves' for the race, but other stuff can wait until after level 1 training.
If you are training in the UK between May and September you can delay the purchase of good boots and sleeping bag if money is tight. Lots of crew buy Dubarry Ultima boots. They are comfy and they look cool. I used to swear by them. For the race I suggest you don't buy them. They scuff badly and wear on the decks very quickly - especially if you work on the foredeck! I'd recommend Le Chameau Neptune boots every time! I'm afraid get quite boring about it. However, if you are a girl with small feet and wide calves, the Dubarry Ultimas are a reasonable choice.
Clipper boats are sometimes very cold in Autumn and Winter. Bear that in mind. I've produced a downloadable PDF for Fierce Turtle members detailing what to pack. Click here.
If you are a round the worlder or racing legs 3, 6 or 8 then I'd definitely recommend you buy really good quality decent sailing boots sooner rather than later (you'll need them anyway) and also consider buying a good fleece-lined synthetic sleeping bag (check out our reviews). You can get away with cheaper boots for the other legs. There are other 'must-haves' for the race, but other stuff can wait until after level 1 training.
If you are training in the UK between May and September you can delay the purchase of good boots and sleeping bag if money is tight. Lots of crew buy Dubarry Ultima boots. They are comfy and they look cool. I used to swear by them. For the race I suggest you don't buy them. They scuff badly and wear on the decks very quickly - especially if you work on the foredeck! I'd recommend Le Chameau Neptune boots every time! I'm afraid get quite boring about it. However, if you are a girl with small feet and wide calves, the Dubarry Ultimas are a reasonable choice.
Clipper boats are sometimes very cold in Autumn and Winter. Bear that in mind. I've produced a downloadable PDF for Fierce Turtle members detailing what to pack. Click here.
WHAT HAPPENS DAY ONE?
Want to know what happens in the first 24 hours of Level 1 training? Read more.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE LAST DAY?
The last day of Level 1 - and all other training - is largely about 'deep cleaning' the boat and debriefing with the skipper. It takes a good while.
Allow for this time and also allow for the fact that you might be very tired, especially after level 2 and level 4 (as they are offshore). If you are driving consider allowing for some sleep before you set off. The end of some courses allows for a meal with your fellow crew. The skipper usually books somewhere for you.
Allow for this time and also allow for the fact that you might be very tired, especially after level 2 and level 4 (as they are offshore). If you are driving consider allowing for some sleep before you set off. The end of some courses allows for a meal with your fellow crew. The skipper usually books somewhere for you.
Where do we eat during the course?
On the boat. If you have special dietary requirements make sure you let Clipper know well before you arrive. The food is basically cheap carbs and veg - and normally tinned meat. There is no refridgeration on the training boats so fresh meat in the summer is limited until maybe day 3. The boats use cool boxes and ice.
If you have a sweet tooth, consider bringing a couple of bars of chocolate for night watches - perhaps even one for the bunk (private stash) and one for your fellow night-watch crewmates : )
If you have a sweet tooth, consider bringing a couple of bars of chocolate for night watches - perhaps even one for the bunk (private stash) and one for your fellow night-watch crewmates : )
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