Hanson Lecture: Confessions of a Cruising Correspondent, Dick Durham
- 25/3/2026
Details
Join us for The Hanson Lecture presented by renowned journalist and sailor Dick Durham on 'Confessions of a Cruising Correspondent'. You can take part online or in-person at CA House, London.
Meet the Speaker - Dick Durham
Dick started sailing aged 12 and served as mate in the last cargo sailing ship in the UK, the Thames barge Cambria. He has cruised from Norway to Gibraltar; been at the end of a lifeboat towrope in the Bay of Biscay when a Storm 10 disabled the 55ft brigantine, Black Pearl; raced in the America’s Cup Jubilee aboard the 12 metre Victory; and aboard Warpath, a 41ft Bashford Howison during the 2001 Fastnet Race. He acted as watch leader aboard Gipsy Moth IV on two legs of her second circumnavigation; crewed for Sir Robin Knox-Johnston aboard Suhaili, has written six sailing books including the biographies of the last sailing captain, Bob Roberts; yacht designer Maurice Griffiths and yachting cartoonist Mike Peyton. A Yachting Monthly columnist, wherever Dick sails he always returns to his beloved Thames Estuary which he currently explores in his 25ft gaff cutter, Betty II, and which forms the background to his talk.
The talk will be followed by the awarding of prizes for the CA’s Annual Log Competition, which has been judged by Dick. In-person attendance is open to members only, with tickets price at £20 including supper. Please note, in-person tickets must be booked and paid for in advance. The online talk via Zoom is FREE to both members and non-members.
Event Details
Please note: lectures can be watched live online but we do not generally make recordings available after the event, for a number of reasons relating to time and copyright issues.
Note that when you register and book tickets to join via Zoom, the confirmation email from Eventbrite will include the link to register to join via Zoom. You must do that to be able to join on the night.
Discover Cruising Skills Week
The CA’s Cruising Skills Week is taking place from 23-28 March 2026 - a series of free online evening sessions from 23-27 March, followed by a one-day in-person and online Go Affordable Boating Seminar at CA House, London on 28 March. Discover the full programme.
Exclusive 20% Membership Offer
Use CSW20, the unique Cruising Skills Week 20% off discount code, to join the Cruising Association, reducing Full Membership (one member, or two members at the same address) to £137.60* instead of £172.
With over 6,400 members worldwide and a history dating back to 1908, the CA connects sailors, shares knowledge and supports every stage of the cruising journey. If you are serious about cruising, this is an opportunity to experience our knowledge and discover the wider benefits of membership. Discover more.
*First year of membership, when paying by Direct Debit.
