19 May 2022

2022 season: it's almost time...

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s yachts are back in the water, skippers are ready to set sail, and volunteers are ready to inspire brighter futures. That can only mean one thing: it’s almost time to get #AllOnBoard and welcome young people back to the Trust.

A group of young people and volunteers wearing Trust branded waterproof clothing are smiling and jumping by a lakeOn 28 May, the first trip of the Trust’s 2022 season will take to the waters of the Solent from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Young people under 18 who've been supported by the Trust before will sail for five days, kicking off months of activities on land and sea.

After taking the Trust to young people last year, which meant less sailing out of our base marinas on the island and in Largs, it will be truly magical to have them both buzzing with excitement for the whole summer again.

Volunteers spent time with us in Birmingham for our annual training day last month. Skippers gathered this week for their yearly conference. They are ready. Now all that's needed is for young people from all across the UK to join us around the country. It's time to inspire brighter futures.

Some more spaces have just become available on a first-time trip in Largs for those 18 and over. Register here to join us on the picturesque Scottish coast this summer.

A jam-packed summer

No fewer than 550 young people will be supported by the Trust this year across a summer of first-time and return trips, including visits to Water Park Lakeland Adventure in the Lake District, Longtown Outdoor Centre in Herefordshire, and Essex Outdoors Bradwell.

Along with sailing from our hubs on the Isle of Wight and in Scotland, young people will also take to the water aboard the traditional deep-sea smack Pioneer in Essex for some classic sailing, as well as Ocean Youth Trust South’s stunning 98ft yacht Prolific along the Devon coast.

Two canal trips for young people who are full-time wheelchair users or who need more one-to-one support will run in partnership with our friends at CanalAbility. These specially-adapted canal boats allow young people to take boating at a slower pace as part of a smaller group.

South-coast races and the return of siblings

Young people will compete in one of the world’s biggest yacht races this summer when they take part in Round the Island Race. We are proud to have been the event’s charity partner since 2005. Keen for some more serious sailing? Places are still available for this world-renowned event. Click here to sign up.

Sailing out of Cowes, the ASTO Small Ships Race is more relaxed than Round the Island Race, but no less fun. Young people from various sail training organisations go head-to-head in the Solent, in a unique race featuring water fights and fancy dress. Click here to sign up.

For the first time since 2019, siblings of young people living through and beyond cancer who have been supported by the Trust will join us once again. A cancer diagnosis turns a family’s life upside down. Brothers and sisters need support too, so we are glad to be spending five days with them in the Lake District.

Join us this summer - some spaces still available

While some trips are full, there are still a few spots available across the summer. Follow each link to register for the available trips below. All of these trips are for young people who have been on a first-time trip and are returning to the Trust.

A crew of young people, aged over 18, and Trust crew are sailing and smiling up the back of a yacht

For 8-17 and 18-24 year olds:

Click here to register for Scotland Longer Cruising.
Click here to register for South Coast Cruising.

For 8-17 year olds:

Click here to register for Prolific.
Click here to register for East Coast Cruising.
Click here to register for Essex Outdoors Bradwell.
Click here to register for Water Park Lakeland Adventure.
Click here to register for Longtown Outdoor Centre.

For 18-24 year olds:

Click here to register for ASTO Small Ships Race.
Click here to register for Round the Island Race.

See you soon

This will be the Trust’s biggest summer season since 2019. Thank you to all the hospital and charity partners, and to all our volunteers and skippers, for helping us get #AllOnBoard this year. As always, it requires the entire Trust community to make our seasons happen. Thanks to you, hundreds of young people will be inspired to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. We can't wait.