In August 2023, a handful of lucky sailors will have the chance for an extraordinary sailing masterclass in Croatia with Golden Globe Race 2022 skipper Guy Waites. 

It’s his first gig since taking part in the phenomenal solo circumnavigation Golden Globe Race which we’ve been glued to at AWA HQ for many months!

What a fabulous and rare opportunity for adventure seekers to sail with Guy, who is renowned globally for his teaching and corporate ability to ensure everyone has a great experience.

The Golden Globe Race

Entrants race solo, non-stop, and in boats that are reminiscent of the ‘Golden Age’ of solo sailing – meaning that the yachts have to be designed before 1988 and are without electronic instruments or autopilots.

The race is based on the original Sunday Times event which was won by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on his boat Suhaili. He was the first person to sail single handed and non-stop around the world between 14 June 1968 and 22 April 1969. His voyage lasted just over ten months and made history. In recognition of his achievement, he was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a knight bachelor and has dedicated his life to encouraging others to live their dreams on the ocean.

The 2022 Golden Globe Race concept is very simple: Depart from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on September 4th, 2022 and sail solo, non-stop around the world and return to Les Sables-d’Olonne. Completing the challenge requires extraordinary skill, grit and determination.

They skippers navigate with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves. Only occasionally can they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high-frequency radios allow. It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 250 days at sea in little boats, challenging themselves and each other.

While a lot of the focus is on the finishers of this epic challenge – see our post on the overall winner, Kirsten Neuschäfer , we are huge fans of every entrant to this incredible challenge; those who finished, those who retired and especially to those who are still out there, focused on finishing what is arguably the greatest sailing challenge of our time. We have nothing but admiration for everyone who stands up to attempt this adventure.

About Sailor Guy Waites

Guy already had long and proven sailing experience before embarking on the GGR, having crossed the Atlantic several times, skipper of “Dare to Lead” in the 19/20 edition of the Clipper Round the world yacht race and numerous sailing adventures, too many to mention here. He’s known for being a wonderfully calm and patient person who is a joy to sail with.

Guy’s Golden Globe Race has been a roller-coaster of highs and lows – of perseverance in the face of every adversity, of barnacles and lost life-rafts. Of friends supporting him when he was forced into port, proving the sailing spirit of helping those in need is still alive – of a nail-biting The Route of the Golden Globe Race 2022rounding of the Cape in challenging conditions…but, above all what shines through is Guy’s calm determination to keep going – no matter if he was forced out of the official race, mainly through misfortune and timing, he is still out there, finishing what he started because the Golden Globe is, above all, a personal challenge and one that is open to everyone, but can only be accomplished by those of exceptional character.

We are so thrilled that, after the best part of a year sailing round the world, Guy is as enthusiastic as ever to lead a sailing masterclass for adventure seekers in Croatia.

With just six places, there will be plenty of time to chat with Guy about his exploits and adventures during a week of hands-on sailing, sightseeing and relaxed exploring of Croatia’s beautiful coastline. No doubt that this will be a special and memorable experience.

You can find out more about this fabulous opportunity to sail with Guy here.

Picture credits:

Header credit GGR 2022
Guy Waites in Yellow Jacket: Credit: imagecomms
Guy’s boat Sagarmatha: Nora Havel & GGR 2022