Tourism boost sails in with yacht stopover

Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC) will be a veritable league of nations over the next week as sailors from across the globe arrive for the World Cruising Club’s ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) first Africa stopover.

The first sleek and luxurious boats began mooring at ZYC on Monday, and from today (Thursday) the bulk of the fleet of 28 will arrive to the traditional champagne welcome.

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They comprise yachts and crews from at least nine countries, including the USA, UK, Spain, Germany, Austria, Jersey, Switzerland, Malaysia and Australia.

The 15 month, 26 000nm (48 152km) round-the-world cruise travels from St Lucia in the Caribbean via the Panama Canal to Australia and across the Indian Ocean to South Africa and via Brazil, back to the Caribbean, visiting 26 countries along the way.

With the Tuzi Gazi marina not presently available, ZYC management pulled out all the stops to find sufficient moorings for the ARC fleet.

Having just completed the sailing leg from Reunion to Richards Bay, the hectic break in their journey will give opportunity to do any repairs of boats and replenishment of provisions, and at the same time allow for visits to local tourist attractions.

A full entertainment programme at the yacht club will introduce the yachties to braais and potjies, thrill them with Zulu dancing, and test their taste with the famous ‘bokdrolspoeg’ contest.

ZYC has over the years established a reputation as the most hospitable stop on the global cruise, and the arrival of the ARC fleet heralds the start of what will be a bumper sailing season, with scores more individual international yachts already expected over the sailing season.

The ARC fleet will sail for Cape Town later next week and will resume the cruise in early January, with many crews flying home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

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