Yachting Podcast - Episode 2 Out Now

This episode includes an interview with Reeds Nautical on their new online version of the Almanac, plus interviews with UKSA graduate turned global yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, on her Vendee Globe campaign and the first in a series of interviews with Sarah Black, project coordinator at The Green Blue on environmental issues for those of us using the water.

Episode 3 will be available next week, so if you enjoyed this you don't have to wait long for the next installment. Our aim is to produce monthly episodes, but to get the ball rolling we will be publishing the first few issues in quick succession.

These podcasts really work best when viewed in iTunes, or on a video iPod. You can download iTunes from apple by going to www.apple.com/itunes/download It's available for PC and Mac.

Past UKSA Graduate launches book

OVER THE TOP
The First Lone Yachtsman to Sail Vertically Around The World
by Adrian Flanagan

In May 2008, Adrian Flanagan made history when he completed the first ever single-handed ‘vertical’ circumnavigation of the world. Over The Top tells the story of this remarkable voyage.

In 1975, when Adrian Flanagan was 15, he read Sir Francis Chichester’s account of his record-breaking circumnavigation and a dream began to form. 30 years later, on 28th October 2005, Adrian set sail from England on his quest to voyage vertically around the earth by the most difficult route imaginable, via Cape Horn and the icebound waters of the Russian Arctic.

The challenges would test the limits of his endurance. Only a handful of solo sailors had ever rounded Cape Horn against the prevailing winds. The Russian government had never allowed a single-handed yachtsman to enter their territorial waters.

Adrian mortgaged his house and bought Barrabas, a unique Stainless Steel boat. With limited funds, he persuaded his ex-wife, Louise to manage the expedition. She won the support of Roman Abramovich to navigate the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the Russian government.

On the fifth day of the expedition, Adrian faced death when a rogue wave swept him from the deck. He was chased by pirates off Brazil, dislocated both wrists and, at Cape Horn, Barrabas capsized in a hurricane. Trapped in the ice floes of the high Arctic, he also came to appreciate the fragile balance of the natural world from a perspective that few have ever seen.

After 30,825 miles, Adrian arrived home on 21st May 2008 escorted by warships of the Royal Navy. Over the Top is the inspirational story of an epic voyage, a life-changing adventure and a dream fulfilled.

‘A fine, fine book, charged with layers of unexpected lyricism. The author makes you feel you’re on the voyage with him, seeing everything through the unflinching prism of his vision and feelings. He captures it all – the unpredictable tumult of sea, sudden shifts in cloud, the volatility of weather, the isolation – wisely and perceptively, in a work destined to be a classic.’ – Campbell Armstrong

Adrian Flanagan’s website is at: www.alphaglobalex.com
Published in hardback by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 6th November 2008, at £16.99
Available from Amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers

UKSA at Earls Court Boat Show

Yep, we will be back in town at the end of November for the Earls Court Sail Power and Watersports show. The stand will be a little smaller than last year, but will be manned by a selection of our friendly and helpful smiley staff.

We will be promoting our online Knot tutorials and our new Podcast series (next edition for yachting coming out before the end of this week, we promise), as well as promoting our fund raising activities. We are currently busy working on an impact report which will give you all an insight into the valuable work of our charity throughout 2008 and will be launched at the show.

We want to meet as many of you up at the show, so we have negotiated to save you 25% off the cost of tickets for this great nautical event.
To make use of this offer click on the graphic above or click here

Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Preparation and Exam Offer!!

We have two places left on the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Preparation and Exam course from the 10th - 16th November 2008!!

We are currently offering a £50 discount on these final two places.

Offer valid from Thursday 23rd October until 5pm Monday 27th October 2008.

For more information and to take advantage of this fantastic offer, please call Morgan on 01983 203038.

First of our Podcasts goes live

Exciting times here at UKSA.
We have a number of podcasts that are in production, the first of which went live today.
We're still working on a couple of technical tweaks to enable you to subscribe to the podcast content automatically as soon as it's published.

We are starting out with two shows. One on Watersports and one on Yachting.
First up and out of the door is the watersports podcast which went live this week. The first show covers getting started in sailing with another show to follow imminently which covers our waterports training venues in Egypt and an interview with watersports employer Mark Warner.



We would love your feedback, so please post your comments

A fantastic win for Gypsy Moth IV!!

Well done to all of the crew aboard Gypsy Moth IV this weekend, who came through to win the Classic Tall Ships Race on Saturday.

Competing against 30 yachts, the crew including Lucy and Ross from the Ellen MacArthur Trust, worked hard and sailed well making no mistakes along the way. UKSA Crew Training student, Ryan Jacobs, collected the trophy!

This was a well deserved win - Congratulations!!

Shirley Robertson makes a golden impression at UKSA

The National Lottery came to UKSA last week with a new project to recognise the sporting achievements of double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, in a special event to highlight its role in supporting London 2012 through specially designated games like the new scratchcard, Go For Gold.

Shirley personally chose UKSA as the host of this event as an organisation close to her heart. Attended by a selection of local and national press, impressions were cast of Shirley's hands and feet for a unique, golden plaque. This special series of commemorative works has been commissioned by the National Lottery in honour of British Olympic competitors, with the aim of exhibiting them in the new Olympic Stadium in the build up to London 2012.

Commenting on the project, Shirley said: "I am very proud to have represented Great Britain in sailing but being recognised like this here in Cowes, where I train, is a huge thrill. London 2012 will be an event that we, as an entire country, should be extremely proud of."