Adventure Factor: 1/5
(Fun Factor: 6/5)
Spend a laidback week cruising the beautiful Galician coast out of Vigo! Explore charming fishing villages, beaches, and experience the best of Spanish maritime culture.
This is a relaxing one-week cruise departing from and returning to the port city of Vigo in northwestern Spain. You'll have the opportunity to go island-hopping, drop anchor in secluded coves, and soak up the Galician way of life on the water.
No major offshore passages are planned - just scenic coastal cruising and stopping wherever looks inviting along the Rías of Galicia. Enjoy tapas, wine, and sunset BBQs in historic harbors. This is a perfect trip for sailors of all experience levels looking for a casual Spanish summer cruise.
Your cruise will be led by Coco Newton, an experienced CUYC skipper who was a skipper on last year's summer programme to Norway. Coco is very familar with CUYC sailing in Spain, having been Vice-Commodore for sailing organising CUYC's summer programme to the Balearics in 2022.
She has been 'messing about on boats' before she could walk, transitioning into competitive dinghy racing as a youth and into offshore yacht racing and cruising as an adult. She recieved a Skipper Development award from CUYC in late 2021 with which she gained her Yachtmaster Offshore. Coco is currently a post-doc in dementia research, and completed her PhD at Cambridge in 2022 - during which time she probably spent more time sailing and rowing than doing her actual PhD.
Expect a relaxed, spontaneous and activity-oriented vibe from Coco: she will prioritise food, hikes, swimming and sailing opportunities where possible. Everyone is encouraged to get stuck in and the aim is for people to learn as they go. If you have any questions about what Coco is like as a sailor, ask Sophia - she's sailed with her twice!
Sophia has recently graduated from Cambridge University (Lucy Cavendish). She has been sailing dinghies with her family since she was a little kid, and got into sailing yachts with CUYC during her undergraduate degree. Sophia is very involved in the Club and Skylark, being the current Secretary and Welfare Officer, recently completing her Day Skipper, and helping with Skylark’s maintenance. She has sailed on two CUYC Summer Programs with Coco (Spain and Norway), and is really looking forward to Galicia.
Expect a 'hell yeah!' and compassionate vibe from Sophia: she is the kindest human on earth (written by Coco - Sophia would never say that about herself).
Please see the 'what to bring' tab for details!