The International Goodwill Yacht Club
The founding idea:
There is a spirit and feeling of belonging that has often been remarked upon by newcomers to the Celtic Goodwill Raid. The skippers briefings and social gatherings during the Raids foster lasting friendships and some meet up again after the Raids, visit each other at home, and in a couple of case exchange boats.
Will Sutherland, the Director of the Goodwill Raids, has been asked on numerous occasions to supply contact details to skippers and crew members who have lost each other’s co-ordinates.
We are aware that many people would like an easy way to stay in contact and to know what is going on with their new found friends.
The Aim:
The current network of boat owners, skippers, wives, families, crew, and voluntary helpers are the Goodwill Raiders and already form the basis for an International Yacht Club. The organisers wish to increase the size of this network and to provide benefits and services for the members.
Our aim is to extend the bond between all sailors across all boundaries, languages, and cultures, united by their love of their seas and the oceans.
A Virtual International Yacht Club:
No premises, committees, or encumbrances, just an opportunity to meet friends, go sailing together once in a while and to enjoy the freedom of sailing the seven seas.
Values:
The club values will be similar to those of behind Celtic Goodwill Raid which where recently succinctly summed up by Paul Kelly (Skipper of the S/Y Fleur – South Brittany Raid 2007) to include:
Safety: It’s safer sailing in numbers. Would you cross the Channel on your own? Possibly not. But a convoy is a good way to go – and you learn more with others around. Safety is also a paramount issue for all the Raiders.
Sociability: You get to meet other boat owners and also meet people in the places you visit. Sailors are also naturally sociable people.
Discovery: You get to go to places you might not normally go to on your own.
Life enhancing: You can also discover things about yourself and your boat that you might not know. Doing a passage can be a very satisfying and life enhancing experience. It’s also slow (a vogue term these days).
Environmentally Friendly: Sailors like to sail, burn little fuel, care about the environment, and don’t pollute the skies.
Watch this space:
We will be launching a new website for the International Goodwill Yacht Club which will provide all manner of services and goodies for the members.
Raid '07 Pics
Click to enlarge
