Hi everyone,

It has been ages since I’ve written a blog post, and that is mainly because I’ve been so busy getting my new business off the ground for the last 15 months or so. Things have been pretty hectic! I have also got a job with SailGP as their On Water Operations Manager for the event coming up in March 2023, so lots on!

Island Cruising is a business that has been around for about 30 years, and you may remember my post last year letting you know that I’d taken the helm.

First of all I launched the Cruising Preparation workshops, which are based around the Cat 1 Safety Regulations and are designed to get people thinking about how to prepare their boat, their crew and themselves for an offshore voyage. I have been able to use many of the notes I wrote on my blog to write the workshop content. If you’re interested in seeing what I’ve done check out the website here.

After that I went about learning everything there is to know about running yacht rallies. So I decided to train myself up by running a South Island Rally. It was a great success with over 23 boats registering and everyone having a pretty exciting time, with lots of adventures, challenges and heaps of fun along the way.

With that successfully under my belt and with the COVID border lockdowns easing, I launched a Pacific Rally – initially just to Fiji but when New Caledonia and Vanuatu opened up, some boats have headed off there as well. We’ve currently got 40 boats on that rally. I’ve been up to Fiji a couple of times to catch up with everyone, have a good look around, meet all the locals and have a bit of a holiday at the same time. I am heading up again for Regatta week which should be lots of fun.

Then I offered to help a friend planning a trip to Japan organise a rally up there, so those preparations are well underway, I’ve got another South Island rally running this summer with lots of registrations coming through for that, and we’re hoping to get a big crowd coming along to watch SailGP too. As well as the Pacific for next year which will include French Polynesia, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia & Norfolk Island! All the details can be found here.

So that is pretty much why I haven’t had time to write in the blog! But if you’re still interested in following all my navigation study notes and other sailing tips and tricks I’d encourage you to head over to the Island Cruising website and become a member, check out our Facebook Page or have a read of the Cruise News our monthly newsletter/magazine.

Also because I haven’t had much time for writing, it has been a bit tough to get out sailing too, and with my aim to start looking for something a bit bigger to sail up to the Pacific in, I’ll shortly be putting Wildwood on the market. I’ve had her for 19 years now! It is a tough decision to make as she has been a huge part of my life, and she has been the best boat ever! So if you know anyone in the market for a fabulous Young88, please let me know – (nice people need only apply).

I’ll be putting up a post with all her details in the next couple of weeks. Just doing a couple of little jobs to get her looking 100% immaculate for her next owners.

So that is my news! Hope all is well with you in your world.

Ciao

Viki