- WHAT IS THE AFR?
It is the largest Russian-speaking amateur regatta. It takes place annually in the middle of autumn. - WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE NEXT ONE BE HELD?
In Greece, 26 October - 2 November, 2024. - WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE AFR?
Beginners and amateur sailors only. Those who have only recently graduated from sailing schools or have only been on a few solo charter races in the cruising divisions. More experienced sailors are in the racing divisions. - HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS?
In 2023, we had 60 teams in 3 divisions and around 500 participants with us. - HOW MANY AFR REGATTAS HAVE THERE BEEN?
October 2024 will be the eleventh event. - I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A YACHT; I HAVE ONLY SEEN ONE ON TV. SHOULD I GO TO THE AFR TO EXPERIENCE YACHTING?
Yes. In fact, ABSOLUTELY! The AFR regatta is designed to allow you to go to sea on your own for the first time comfortably and safely. Most of the skippers participating in the AFR are debutants. Yes, and so are their crews. - DO WE REALLY LIVE ON A YACHT ALL THE TIME DURING THE REGATTA? DIRECTLY IN THE SEA?
“Yes” to the first question and “No” to the second. The modern sailboats we travel on and race within the AFR are quite comfortable floating apartments with double cabins, several toilets and showers, and a full kitchen. Each cabin has a large and comfortable double bed, hot and cold water flows from the taps, and gas burns on the stove - everything you are used to is available on the yacht. And it also has the best view of the sea in the world. :) As for overnight stays, we spend the night moored to the shore, so nothing will stop you from setting foot on solid ground if such a desire arises. - CAN A YACHT CAPSIZE?
In the conditions of our regatta - no. A wind force close to a hurricane is required to capsize a yacht, forming a wave the size of a multi-story building. In principle, such waves cannot form in AFR waters. - WHAT IF THERE IS A STORM?
Autumn in Greece is usually a calm time of year in terms of weather. But safety comes first for us, so if the weather conditions radically worsen, the regatta will wait out the bad weather offshore. - WHAT ABOUT FOOD DURING THE REGATTA?
AFR members usually have breakfast and dinner in delicious restaurants, and lunch can be prepared right at sea - don't forget that each yacht has a full kitchen. - HOW MUCH CAN I LEARN ABOUT MANAGING A YACHT?
It depends on you. If you have the desire to absorb experience and information, then by the end of the regatta, you will become an utterly advanced sailor. - CAN YOU JUST REST AND DO NOTHING?
Of course, you can; no one will judge you! - WHAT ABOUT SMOKING ON BOARD?
No problem, but in a place on the yacht agreed upon with the captain. - WHO WILL BE MY CAPTAIN?
It depends on your wishes. After your request, we will ask the captains about the available places on their teams and tell you everything. Then you can chat with each of them and decide who suits you best. In any case, the choice will be yours. - CAN I TAKE A CHILD WITH ME ON THE AFR?
The daughter of the head of Seanation has been participating in the AFR since she was 6 years old and considers our event to be one of the funnest events on earth. There are usually no problems with children at the AFR if the children:
a) are capable of compromise
b) are communicative and sociable
c) are not picky in terms of living conditions
But in any case, you need to immediately tell us that you are planning a trip with your son or daughter so that we can discuss this possibility with the captains who still have vacancies. - YOU HAVE DOUBLE CABINS, AND I AM SINGLE/SINGLE. SO, I WILL HAVE TO LIVE IN THE SAME CABIN WITH SOMEONE ELSE?
You will not be strangers for long, and there is a chance that you will become best friends, as has happened at the AFR more than once! And we hasten to reassure you: more than half of AFR participants are single. Of course, your neighbor will be the same sex as you. Or you can negotiate with the captain and buy the entire cabin. - I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO THE AFR. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS?
Yes, we will provide you with all the necessary documents for obtaining a visa no later than 60 days before the start of the regatta. - OCTOBER, GREECE… NOT COLD?
No. Over the past few Octobers, the daytime temperature has never dropped below 17 degrees Celsius; most days, it is 22-25 degrees Celsius. Most days are sunny, and precipitation is rare. Wind strength is not more than 20-22 knots, on average 12-14 knots. The temperature of the sea is 20-22 degrees. - WHAT IS THE ROUTE OF THE REGATTA?
We depend on the weather, and the scale of the regatta is such that not every port can accommodate us. The day-by-day plan becomes more or less clear not earlier than a week before the start. - WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE REGATTA? WHAT’S THE DAILY SCHEDULE?
On Saturday morning, we meet with all the skippers at the marina, fill out all the documents for the charter, assign everyone to the yachts, and acceptance begins, which continues until the evening. The visiting teams buy groceries, meet colleagues, and adapt to yacht life. On Saturday evening, there is a global regatta opening party; for most teams, it ends in the middle of the night.
On Sunday morning and each morning that follows, there is a skipper's briefing, at which the organizers explain the plan for the day. Sunday is not a racing day; it is dedicated to training. The skippers train themselves and their teams so that, starting on Monday, everyone can fully participate in the process. But training does not cancel the transition to the next stop - every day, the AFR regatta spends the night in a new place.
To summarize the regatta plan, it looks like this:
Saturday: meeting, acquaintance, acceptance of yachts, food purchase, opening party.
Sunday: briefing, training, transition to a new place, rest and entertainment.
Monday - Thursday: briefing, race, transition to a new place, rest and entertainment.
Friday: briefing, race, return to the base marina, refueling, checkout, closing party of the regatta and presentation of prizes to the winners.
9:00 Saturday: all AFR participants leave the yachts. - WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENING AFTER THE RACE?
Explore a new place, have dinner in one of the great restaurants, go to a concert or party, take part in a music jam right on the dock, watch fireworks or the stars, listen to music or the splash of the waves. Trust me, no one has ever been bored during an AFR. - WHAT SHOULD I (SKIPPER) AND MY CREW BRING?
We recommend bringing a set of thermal underwear WITHOUT wool, a fleece sweatshirt, and a set of windproof trousers and jacket. Remember that natural material clothing is not to be worn at sea as it absorbs moisture and does not dry. It is best if your synthetic trousers and jacket are from a so-called membrane fabric, which breathes and wicks away your sweat but, at the same time, does not get wet and does not blow away. However, all these recommendations are only relevant if the weather is cool or windy. If the weather is warm and calm, shorts and a T-shirt will suffice.
Don't forget a hat and sunglasses: it's not that hard to overheat your head and go blind from the constant glare, even in November. Sunscreen with a protection factor of 30+ will not hurt either. And the last important point: your deck shoes should have light or non-staining soles and fit securely on your feet - flip-flops and similar to flip-flops are not suitable for yachting. - I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, WHERE SHOULD I GO?
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