This trip has ended.
The AFR regatta 2024
A race for beginner skippers and their friends.
January 20 – 27, 20248 days · 7 racing days
- Start and finish
- Alimos, Greece
- Level
- Beginners, Experienced
- Languages
- Russian, English
About the event
The AFR regatta is a race for beginner skippers and their friends.
This is an ideal format for practicing sailing skills for both novice captains and team members. This is a large-scale sailing event combining a regatta and a party. This is a trip as part of a flotilla with an active social life in marinas and mutual assistance in any difficult situations at sea and offshore.
Since 2024, all races will be accompanied by a technical boat with qualified servicemen. Any breakdowns can be fixed in real-time.
AFR is not only a regatta but also a music festival. In 2024 several Russian rock stars will perform. Concerts and jams will take place every night.
The length of crossings / races is from 15 to 25 nautical miles or from 4 to 6 hours.
The route is approximate and depends on the weather and wind direction.
Itinerary
- Saturday
Check-in on the boat after 16:00. Training in the sea. Welcome dinner, meeting and introducing teams.
- Sunday
Alimos (Athens) — Aegina Island Going out from the marina in the morning, the first race is a simple training race from point A to point B, as many team members go to sea for the first time. Free time for dinner and sightseeing. Aegina Island is located in the heart of the Saronic Gulf, between Attica and Argolis. Just a five-minute walk from the port there is Colonna Hill, which is the remnant of the legendary Apollo Temple. Aphaia Temple is another interesting place, this is a large and picturesque structure. In the very center of the island, there is the church of Agios Nektarios, which offers a beautiful panoramic view.
- Monday
Aegina Island — Epidavros Going out to the sea in the morning, the second race. The crossing to a new marina. If you want you can have sailing training, swimming, fishing. Free time on the shore. In the evening, there will be a spontaneous party on the pontoon or on some of the boats, or watching a movie.
- Tuesday
Epidavros — Methanon Peninsula Going out to the sea in the morning, the third race. The crossing to a new location. Free time for relaxation. There are 32 volcanoes on the Methanon peninsula! You can climb the crater and see the petrified lava flows — a really stunning sight. The peninsula is also interesting for its beaches with volcanic sand.
- Wednesday
Methanon peninsula — Poros Island Going out to the sea, another race. The crossing to a new marina. Poros is considered the island of Poseidon — the god of the sea. On the island, there are the ruins of the famous temple of Poseidon. It will also be interesting to visit the Archaeological Museum and take a walk through the Lemon Forest on the coast of the Peloponnese.
- Thursday
Poros Island — Ermioni Going out to the sea, the final decisive race. Mooring in a new town or on a new island. Analysis of the results, a party. Salute from the pontoon. Ermioni is a small town with cozy beaches. Here you can visit the Agioi Anargyroi Monastery, the Venetian Fermisias Castle and the Byzantine Church of the Holy Trinity.
- Friday
Ermioni — Porto Cheli — Athens Coming back to the home marina. Gala dinner with rewarding of winners, drinks, dancing and lots of fun.
- Saturday
Leaving the boats. The regatta is over, but we do not say goodbye to you, but look forward to seeing you at the next regattas!
Location
The route will be the following: Athens, Marina Alimos — Aegina island — Epidavros — Methanon peninsula — Poros island — Ermioni — Porto Cheli — Athens. * Days and time of arrival at marinas are approximate.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, of course. There will be an experienced skipper and team members on the yacht. They will give you a role and teach you everything you need to know to be a useful team member and feel comfortable.
Yes, all team members will definitely try themselves in different roles to better understand each other. Standing at the helm is an integral part of training for beginners as well as setting sails, and helping the team during moorings.
As a rule, participants in the regatta live on the yacht. The boat has everything you need for a comfortable stay: nice beds, a kitchen, a shower with toilet. If you do not want to live on a yacht, then you can arrange to stay at the hotel onshore.
The crew decides altogether what kind of food they prefer to eat and makes necessary purchases. Simple dishes can be cooked, usually taking turns. Some regattas offer daily meals and intensive evening program for all crews.
We can make an invitation for a visa, but you need to apply for a visa by yourself.
Most people tolerate some seasickness easily. If you feel that you are starting to feel sick, it is best to get at the steering wheel or tune the sails. Get yourself busy, show your body that you don’t have time to get sick, you have to fight for victory in the race. There are also many quite effective medicines from sickness. If you start taking them in advance, then the probability of seasickness is almost zero.
Before each trip, we organize an online meeting where participants get to know each other and the captain. The captain will answer all your questions. The crew will have a group chat so you can get to know each other before the start of the regatta. Then you will meet in the marina.
The main rule is to dress comfortably and according to the weather.
Clothing:
- windbreaker and pants or shorts;
- shirt/jacket with UV protection (thermal underwear and fleece);
- adjustable hat/cap;
- gloves.
We recommend to purchase a long-sleeved jacket with UV protection in order to protect yourself from the sun and strong wind.
Yachting shoes should be:
- light, with non-slip white outsole;
- with the fixed heel;
- with a tightly closed nose.
During the sailing without shoes, you can fall or injure your fingers and feet on the deck. There are many protruding parts on the boat that are easy to catch. Unfortunately, even experienced sailors are not protected from unpleasant injuries when they ignore this simple rule.