While the majority of sailor enthusiasts enjoy booking their desired yacht and enjoy a sailing vacation with their own group of family and friends, sailing offers much more than that. Beginner and leisure sailors can join a flotilla – a group of other sailors and their yachts – and spend their time on the sea together. Professional, experienced sailors can show their skills in competitive sailing, which is also known as a regatta.
What Is a Flotilla?
Flotilla is a group of boats that sail together. Sailing flotilla is a type of a sailing holiday where a person can book one place on a yacht or charter an entire yacht and join fellow sailors on the same sailing route. A commercial flotilla as we know it today originates from the Spanish term “flota” (fleet) that describes a military, naval group of warships that followed the same route toward their goal.
Usually, a flotilla will consist of the same class of boats – sailboats. As little as three sailboats sailing together create a flotilla, although this number can go way up.
What to Expect in a Flotilla?
You will choose to sail in a flotilla if you are looking for an informal relaxing experience with a lot of social activity.
Flotillas are the perfect place to meet other sailors and make friends whether you are participating solo, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family.
The fleet will have a leader – a skipper with extensive knowledge about sailing who organizes the flotilla, prepares the itinerary and knows the planned route and weather conditions. The leader is in charge of all the operational management which also includes paying attention to berthing availabilities and reservations. In order to make the best out of it, sailing assistants and technical support will support the leader. After the initial briefing, you will be presented with optional activities.
You can determine your own rhythm of the day, but you can also choose to sail along the other yachts. Your common interest is to meet at a designated location at the end of the day.
Where to Sail in a Flotilla?
Flotillas can be organized anywhere in the world where sailing is a popular activity. Whether you are a fan of exotic destinations, like the Caribbean, or you prefer to sail in the inexhaustible Mediterranean, a flotilla sailing holiday can be organized between you and your fellow sailors or a sailing company can do it for you.
What is a Regatta?
Regatta is a competitive sailing race for both amateur and experienced sailors. The term originates from the Venetian word “regata” which means “contest”. Regattas are usually organized by yacht clubs and sailing organizations that invite all interested sailors and sailing crews on local and international level. They last one or more days.
The most popular type of racing is the one that includes the single model of a boat, such as a monohull powerboat that reaches impressive speeds. Trained participants will show their skills, tactics, and manoeuvres to get the best placement in the event, all while following the rules of the race. They need to know everything about the sail design, dimensions, shapes, and material in order to get the best out of winds and waves.
Types of Regattas
Regattas can be done on the sea and on the rivers. They attract several hundred – and even thousands of boats.
There are several types of sailing races: fleet race, match race, team race, speed sailing, navigational regatta, and regatta around the buoys.
How to Prepare for a Regatta
A sailor that wants to participate in a regatta needs to be physically and mentally fit as the races tend to be exhausting. Do some research into what type of a race would suit your interests and needs. Invest in high-quality layered and waterproof clothing. Professional racers use a sailing watch or a chronograph to precisely time their journey on the sea.
Watch or Participate in a Regatta
If you are interested in following regatta as a sporting activity, or would like to join one, feel free to check the most prestigious regattas in the world.
There are virtual regatta gaming options to spark your interest.
