The OTSA (and OTs in general) have the opportunity to take advantage of the sailing trip that Tonbridge is organising for its pupils. Full details are now available and are below, but if you would like any more information, please get in touch.

We are now seeking those who wish to take part. If you are interested, please let me know by email.

Nick Pointon (nick@pointon.net)

Name: Summer yachting expedition 2025 – Leg 1, UK to Norway

Dates: Saturday 9^th August to Monday 18^th August 2025

Details: Leg 1 sees us sailing from the UK (Hull) to Stavanger (Norway). The sail across the North Sea will likely take 2 or 3 days of continual sailing aboard our 73ft Ocean Racing yacht. Once the trip across the North Sea is complete, we will likely spend some time in Stavanger resting, before sailing in and around the fjords of Norway, perhaps up to Bergen and back. The trip ends in Norway, with plenty of inexpensive flight options from Stavanger back to the UK with Norwegian air. The boat will then meet current Tonbridge pupils for leg 2 of the trip. The provisional schedule for leg 1 is as follows:

• Saturday 9^th August – Journey to Hull (via minibus from Tonbridge, or make your own way via train to Hull).
• Sunday 10^th August – Depart early AM for Norway
• Tuesday 12^th August – Arrive PM in Norway.
• Wednesday 13^th until Sunday 17^th August – Sailing in and around the fjords of Norway, trips ashore etc. You will have a chance here to choose and plot the course for the rest of the trip.
• Monday 18^th August – Trip ends in Stavanger, Norway on Monday morning. Onward journey to be booked independently (flights from Stavanger to London Gatwick, currently very low cost).

Cost: £16,200 for the boat, all food, offshore kit/ safety equipment(borrowed) and a full professional crew. Maximum of 13 people (£1250 per person), minimum of 10 people (£1620 per person).

Information about the charity and boat found here: https://catzero.org/

As this will be an OT boat, OTs are welcome to invite their friends and relatives. The usual price for their Norway expedition is £1750 for an 8 day trip rather than 9, so I hope this is something our OTs will be keen to come along to.