The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, known as one of the biggest endurance challenges on the planet, is will arrive in Ramsgate next week to find its next batch of ocean racers ready to take on this year’s event, starting this summer. Along with a discovery talk, the team is bringing one of its yachts to the town’s harbour for free tours, perfect if you are still searching for a exciting Easter activity this bank holiday.

Those who take on the Clipper Race need no previous sailing experience before being intensively trained to face the record breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the globe on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht. The eleven competing teams are led by a professional Skipper and First Mate, as they guide their Race Crew to battle storm-force winds, towering waves, and the relentlessness of racing 24 hours a day for up to 30 days non-stop across some of the world’s most unforgiving oceans.

Setting off on 31 August 2025, the Clipper 2025-26 Race route is divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual stages – including six ocean crossings – with participants choosing to complete the full circumnavigation or select one or multiple legs.

On Monday 21 April at Royal Harbour Marina you can get access to one of the stripped-down yachts that is gearing up to depart for its next eleven-month voyage around the world. Visit below deck and imagine yourself at a 40-degree angle, mid-ocean and thousands of miles from land, check out the Nav Station, galley, bunks and stowage, and see where each of the 20 Race Crew live when not on deck. Above deck, take the helm or try your hand on one of the eleven winches capable of lifting the sails up the 29m [95 foot] mast.

Also on 21 April, at the Discovery Talk to be held at Royal Temple Yacht Club, Recruitment Director, and former Race Crew member Chris Harris, will tell you everything you need to know about taking on this extraordinary challenge. This is your chance to learn more about training, ports of call and the selection process for a wet, windy, hot and cold adventure of a lifetime.

Chris said: “We’re so excited to be visiting Kent with one of our Clipper Race yachts, which has circumnavigated the world five times. We hope our visit inspires the people of Kent that no matter what walk of life you are from you can achieve something extraordinary. Around 30% of our crew have no previous sailing experience before they begin their four weeks’ training.

“Our talk at Royal Temple Yacht Club is for those people who are in search of a new adventure, and eager to test their limits beyond belief. There will be the opportunity to find out more about what we’re looking for in our crew, as well as the opportunity to step on board a Clipper 70 to experience what living like an ocean racer will be like.”

Ellen O’Brien

Those who attend could soon be telling their own ocean-going tales, just like 23-year-old Ellen O’Brien, hailing from Tunbridge Wells, who took on Leg 4 of the Clipper 2019-20 Race when she was just 18.

Ellen was a self-confessed novice sailor, with almost no sailing experience, before signing up at 17 years old. Talking about her experience with the Clipper Race, she said: “The Clipper Race taught me so much. Being so young it really did change my outlook on life. I massively grew in confidence and had the time of my life doing it. I learnt more about myself, and people generally, in my three-week leg than I ever have! The Clipper Race pushes your limits, both emotionally and physically, but the challenge is so rewarding.”

Ellen will be on hand at the Dover Discovery Talk and open boat tours, sharing her first-hand experience of ocean racing. Her advice to those thinking of following in her footsteps: “The Clipper Race is the ultimate adventure. I visited parts of the world I would have never been able to go to, experienced weather I didn’t know I was capable of enduring and met best friends for life. My race was some of the happiest and most rewarding times of my life.

“I attended a couple of talks before participating. I have a fond memory of my dad and I listening to a talk in London about the race. There was an image of somebody up the mast, and my dad turned to me and said you ‘must get a picture like that it’s awesome!’ Fast forward a year on in Australia and I got my picture up the mast. It was such a full circle moment, I never thought that could be me!”

Monday 21 April | 10am – 4pm| Royal Harbour Marina | Free Clipper Race yacht tours

Monday 21 April | 4pm | Royal Temple Yacht Club | Free Discovery Talk

To reserve your place or find out more, click here.