Sail Racing Academy

GAP Year / Sabbatical Sailing

Sail Racing Academy offers tailor-made GAP year programs to meet all appetites and open to all irrespective of where they live. From 1 month to 1 year; cruising to racing; the UK, Med or Caribbean; we have it all. Our experienced skippers are happy to work alongside you to help you gain experience and qualifications. We aim to find the perfect balance between practical hands-on experience, theory and fun.

You will be an active part of our team. During regattas, when not sailing, there is always a fully packed schedule of social events. This is a great time to have fun, as well as getting to know other sailors and developing your network.

Between regattas, there is always plenty to do with maintenance, repairs and cleaning. It’s a good time to learn about the mechanics of sailing. But you will also be able to see and enjoy the beauty of each location where the yacht anchors.

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*

29th Dec 2024 - 1st Jan 2025 Explore St Lucia
If you’ve just arrived in St Lucia here’s your opportunity to explore the island before we depart.

2nd - 14th Jan 2025 Explore the Grenadines
Join us as we explore the Grenadines, visiting Union Island & Bequia as well as Tobago Quays and many other stops in between.

15th - 22nd Jan 2025 Round Barbados Sailing Week
Spend some time exploring Barbados and then join us for Round Barbados Sailing Week; the first race of the season and a great opportunity to network and get to grips with round-the-cans racing.

23rd - 24th Jan 2025 Rum to Spice Race
This event was introduced in 2024 as a feeder race between Barbados and Grenada Sailing Weeks. From Barbados to Carriacou, Grenada, it should take under 24 hours to finish. We highly suggest anyone participating in Grenada Sailing Week to join this race and get some extra practice in.

25th Jan - 31st Jan 2025 Grenada Sailing Week
Grenada Sailing Week is a smaller regatta but one of our most experienced skippers describes it as their favourite. It involves some fun & fast round-the-cans and coastal racing. Starting from one of the most beautiful small islands in the Caribbean, Carriacou and finishes in Grenada, known as the Spice Isle!

1st - 17th Feb 2025 Island Hop Grenada to Antigua
A hugely popular part of our Caribbean season and a great chance to relax and visit some of the islands only accessible by boat and often forgotten. A wealth of hidden treasures.

18th - 28th Feb 2025 Caribbean 600 (additional cost) / Explore Antigua / Undertake RYA Qualifications
There are a huge variety of options to suit every taste and budget this week. Join us for the Caribbean 600 for 4-5 days of amazing offshore racing, explore the island of Antigua, or attend our partner’s training sessions to secure RYA training. You won’t get bored during this week. Please note that the race is an optional extra and not included by default.

1st - 3rd Mar 2025 Sail Antigua to St Maarten
An opportunity to practice the sailing skills you’ve developed so far and take on more responsibility whilst our professional skipper acts as a safety net in case you require some additional support.

4th - 9th Mar 2025 St Maarten Heineken Regatta (additional cost)
This is another inshore round-the-cans & coastal race sailing event. Hugely popular in the regatta calendar. It’s as lively off the water as it is on the water racing, with it’s dedicated race village & live music. Please note that this is an optional extra and not included by default.

10th - 22nd Mar 2025 Cruise St Martin / St Barth
Ok, that’s far too much excitement, now is the perfect time to relax a little. This is a good week to explore St Martin, cruise around the island and recuperate in preparation for the next few regattas.

23rd Mar - 6th Apr 2025 St Thomas International Regatta & BVI Spring Regatta
Back-to-back events that consistently deliver excellent racing set over the backdrop of the US and the British Virgin Islands.

7th - 9th Apr 2025 Explore the BVI's
Hike, swim, practice your sailing skills and explore. Anchor in a different bay every day, snorkel and perfect your culinary skills.

11th - 20th Apr 2025 Les Voiles De St Barth
After the postponement of the 2024 Les Voiles de St Barths, we are thrilled for it to be returning in 2025. There is a choice of 26 possible courses ranging from 17 to 60 miles, with the decision of which course to race being dependent on the weather. The plan is two races a day, without starting too early or finishing too late, reflecting the laid back atmosphere of the island.

20th - 22nd Apr 2025 Cruise Back to Antigua
Hop on board for a trip back to Antigua for an easy connection home or join us for the last race of the Caribbean season.

23rd Apr - 3rd May 2025 Antigua Sailing Week (additional cost)
Antigua Sailing Week has become one of the biggest events in the international sailing calendar, and the final event we participate in before heading back across the Atlantic. Please note that this is an optional extra and not included by default.

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