Newsletter January 2015

As we start a brand new year we would like to thank you all (old, new and those who’ve not been yet!) for your continued support in 2014 and already into 2015.

It was another superb year for rusailing with many students continuing to join us from all over the world. We have had unheard of success with our exam candidates, once again gaining a 100% pass rate in all Yachtmaster exams undertaken throughout the year. We have several preparation weeks already in place with some candidate and crew places available so contact us if you are interested in either option. A crew place can be an excellent way to get to see the prep and exam take place and help you gauge your needs before taking your own.

One of the racing highlights of last year must be Firefly (finally) taking 1st place in the Bluewater Annual Regatta along with Rob and the SB20 team taking a very credible 7th place in the Portuguese Nationals. Well done to all who were involved. The Miglia 151 offshore race in Italy was also a great event to be part of. As well as many ‘normal’ courses we have enjoyed the diversity of several deliveries and mileage trips, including trips across Biscay.

Gary and Dmitry have continued to work with us through 2014 (thanks guys!) and it was also nice to welcome Patrick Van der Zijden back in August from his Clipper Round the World venture. Patrick has delivered several courses already in the latter part of 2014 and has now joined Rob on the SB20. We look forward to working with these instructors in 2015 too thus continuing our uniformity and consistency in the courses and experiences we deliver.

Tripadvisor has proved to be a great addition for rusailing. It is very gratifying to read the independent reviews there and also allows students who are thinking of joining us an opportunity to read genuine feedback about the experience of others. We hit the 30+ review mark in December which has put us top 3 or 4 of Lagos attractions! If you have been intending to write a review please do so and if you have not seen what others have posted maybe take a look when you get a few minutes.

On to the year ahead…

We are working on a new Website design which will keep us up to date with technology changes, namely it syncing with different size viewing platforms more efficiently. It’s an obvious time for us to tweak our current content too so have a look sometime soon!
The new VHF radio training course and assessment is working well. If you do not have a radio licence and are joining us for practical training why not add this course on? It’s a legal requirement that someone on the boat has a valid license so it’s ideal for Day Skipper candidates looking to go on to charter boats in the near future. You can do the on-line course before coming to Lagos and then when you’re here, we can arrange the short assessment either at the beginning or end of your course. Seamless. Contact us for more information!

Along with the old favourites (ALL the RYA courses, downwind, performance, marina masterclass etc.) we have some exciting new additions to our training courses starting in 2015:

Advanced Crew Member, Advanced Day Skipper , Advanced Coastal Skipper.

Bespoke to rusailing, we have developed these courses to fill a need. All too often we are asked at the end of a course ‘What should I do next?’ particularly as the next step may seem quite a jump (for instance Day Skipper to Coastal Skipper). These course are specially designed for those people and those wanting to become better at what they can already do rather than stretching to the next level for no real reason other than it’s the next level. Being bespoke, they can be exactly tailored to suit individual needs. Coupled with reduced numbers learning in an Optimum class only increases the power of these courses. Our advanced courses can of course be taken as a means of refreshing and advancing ones skills too.

For 2015 we have other exciting prospects….

We now have a Lagoon 380 Catamaran available exclusively to us for training or for skippered charter. We had been speaking to an increasing number of people who want to experience sailing or holidaying on a multihull or are already chartering in the Caribbean and want some training before they head out on their own. If this is something you would like to do let us know.

Once again we are hoping to develop an exciting racing calendar for 2015. With the SB20 campaign already underway as I type, there will be the old favourites like the classic Palos to Lagos in July and Bluewater 3-day event in September. Perhaps the Miglia 151 in May again? Copa del Rey in Mallorca, Rolex Middle Sea in Malta in October (we nearly got there last year!)? Let us know your interest and we will include you on a list to receive a separate racing newsletter.

Then there’s the Swan 59… plans for bluewater circuits (Lagos/Azores/Madeira/Lagos), ARC 2015, Caribbean holidays and ARC Europe 2016. That one’s in the process of being finalised. Again, register your interest if one of these ideas floats your boat!

Phew.

All that remains is for us to wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warmest Regards

Jules, Rob and the rusailing Team