1 Spot Left!
A lot has been said about the Caribbean 600... so we’ll let one of the more honest appraisals of the race by Yachting World speak for itself:
The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600 is one of the great ‘600 mile’ ocean race challenges, along with epics such as the Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and the Rolex Middles Sea Race.
Its tropical setting might lead you to believe that it is not such a hardcore event as those others, but that would be misleading. The Caribbean 600 features a tortuous course between islands, working with currents, beating into tradewinds and coaxing past the lee of land in one of the most interesting offshore courses to be found anywhere in the world.
The race annually attracts a great range of yachts from the latest IRC designs to big classics and schooners, and is firmly in the calendar of the some of the world’s best racing sailors.
The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth’s.
What they’ve failed to highlight is just how beautiful this race is, with its backdrop of crystal clear turquoise seas, and big waves with big wind bringing huge smiles to sailors of all skills and ages!
Our team has posted superb results in the 2020 and 2024 600s… with a 2nd and 4th in class respectively. We are looking to recruit a strong team to fight our way to the top of the podium in 2025!
“My first foray into international racing was with Sea to Sky for the 2020 Caribbean 600 race in Antigua. I was nervous about what I was getting into but we went out as a team to train and get to know the boat (and each other) before embarking on the race. Our Skipper and First Mate took great care of us - Sea to Sky Sailing fosters an environment where you can push yourself while still being well supported. Oh, and the cherry on top? We came in 2nd in our division!!”
2025 Preliminary Schedule
Thursday, February 20: Training & boat prep day 1
Friday, February 21: Training & boat prep day 2
Saturday, February 22: Training & boat prep day 3, Caribbean 600 Crew Party
Sunday, February 23: Final prep & rest day
Monday, February 24: RACE START
Friday, February 28: Prize giving & closing party
Logistical Note
The Caribbean 600 does not have a time limit. It is not uncommon for boats in our class to still be racing into Saturday, March 1 We will not retire from the race just to suit individual crew. Booking a return flight on Saturday is at your own risk, and we do not advise trying to fly home before Sunday, March 2.
For planning purposes, note that the boat will be based out of Antigua Yacht Club in Falmouth for this event.
Pre-Requisites
Prior sailing and racing experience is required. Contact us to discuss eligibility and where you will fit into the team.
Reasonable level of physical strength and fitness. We strongly recommend preparing for the race by hitting the weights and/or resistance training for good core and upper body strength, as well as working on endurance through cardio training. This preparation helps protect you from injury, will give you more energy and strength throughout the race, makes you a more valuable team member and dramatically increases your likelihood of enjoying the race!
Questions? Just ask!
Cost
$4,795 CAD
Maximum 10 crew + skipper + first mate
Includes accommodation on board from morning of Monday, February 24 to morning of Saturday, March 1. Crew are responsible for their own accommodation on shore during training days and after racing. Cost also includes professional skipper, first mate, racing fees, all food on board during the race, snacks during training days, fuel, moorage, yacht insurance and all other operating costs of the yacht, and two team shirts (long-sleeve for sailing and short-sleeve for prize-giving). Participants are responsible for: food on shore and other discretionary spending, mandatory travel insurance, flights & on shore accommodation before/after racing.
About life on board
As with all Sea to Sky racing, we will be as competitive as we can be together as a team, but safety will of course always come first by a long shot, followed by providing a positive learning environment where everyone can develop their skills and enjoy the experience. Expect to be pushed to achieve your best, to expand your skill set and truly challenge yourself, with ongoing support from our professional skipper and first mate.
We compete as a team and we prepare as a team, meaning everyone is expected to chip in with essential tasks before, during and after the race. This includes cooking, cleaning, provisioning, light maintenance tasks, rig and deck checks, etc. We also share sailing duties and do our best to rotate through positions on board when conditions allow for more experience building.
Read more about Panacea X and check our Caribbean FAQs for more information.
