Sailing around Spitsbergen

Details

This is the story of an extraordinary journey that two men made in the summer of 1991, rowing and sailing an open wooden boat around Spitsbergen – just for the fun of it.

They navigated through pack ice, past glaciers and icebergs. They survived whales, polar bears, starvation and capsize. In doing so, they completed the first circumnavigation of the Arctic Island of Spitsbergen in an open rowing boat. Along the way they learned about themselves and about life, experienced a frozen wilderness that will most likely disappear before the century is out.

Date and Time: Saturday 10th January 2026, Doors open at 18:00, dinner at 18:45, talk starts at 20:00.

Venue: Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Woolverstone, Ipswich, IP9 1AT; Lat and Long: N52⁰ 0.34’ E001⁰ 11.8’; National Grid Reference: TM 1952 3896; What.Three.Words: ///lion.jumpy.chuckling.

Free car parking at the Club.

Download directions to the Club here.

What: Winter Talk, with or without a meal.

Open to: Members of the CA, CS and RHYC and to non-members.

Guests: Members are encouraged to bring one guest each at the member's rate, just book your guest as an additional member when booking your place.

Non-Members: Additional guests of members, and also non-members, are welcome to attend at the non-member's rate.

Booking will open shortly.

If you find any difficulty with booking online please call the RH Club Office on 01473 780319 to make a telephone booking. Office hours normally Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00.

Talk Organiser: Tim Daley

Contact: Catriona Essenhigh, Suffolk@theca.org.uk