Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Skip Novak announced as keynote speaker of RYA Cruising Conference

by Emma Cotton 28 Jan 2021 10:56 GMT 21 March 2021
Skip Novak © RYA

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is excited to announce that epic adventurer and four times Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race contestant, Skip Novak, will be taking to the virtual main stage as the keynote speaker at this year's RYA Cruising Conference.

"I am so pleased to be joining the line-up of the RYA Cruising Conference," said Skip Novak. "During these times when so many sail and motor trips have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus restrictions I'm really looking forward to being able to join this virtual event and share my experiences with fellow cruisers."

Novak's presentation, 'How excelling in basic boating skills can enable you to accomplish your cruising dreams,' will focus on the advantages of utilising uncomplicated on-board systems when voyaging. Drawing on his own wealth of experience through his 30 years of travelling in high latitudes Skip will demonstrate how those skills can be sharpened and transferred to your next cruising adventure.

Skip added: "After so many years of voyaging and in spite of getting on in years I am still convinced that having less gadgetry and conveniences on-board makes for a richer sailing experience."

As the builder and operator of both Pelagic and Pelagic Australis, built out of Skip's wish to combine his sailing and mountaineering skills, he now spends every season in Antarctic waters and sets new standards in expedition yacht construction and design. In 2016, Skip was awarded the Tilman Award by the Royal Cruising Club of London for his work pioneering Antarctic sailing expeditions.

"We're thrilled to be able to welcome Skip Novak as this year's keynote speaker. He is a great inspiration to many cruisers and brings with him a score of expedition stories and cruising knowledge which we're sure will excite and engage our audience," commented Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager.

"Skip's chosen topic of utilising uncomplicated on-board systems will be a great complement to the other talks at the Conference, which range from how to read the weather, the past, present and future of charts, to how to use electronics as an aid to navigation."

The RYA Cruising Conference takes place 09:30-14:30 on Sunday 21 March 2021, bookings are available now. Places are free for RYA Members and just £10pp for non-members. Tickets will allow you access to not only the live speaker sessions, but also to the Exhibition Area where delegates will be able to visit virtual stands and chat with RYA experts. You will also be able to learn more about the current trends in the cruising world by watching the on-demand presentations and videos. The full event agenda is available to view now on the RYA website.

Register to book your place in the virtual audience here.

For all the latest conference news visit the RYA Cruising Conference page or follow the Royal Yachting Association on Facebook and Twitter.

For all RYA Cruising Conference enquiries, please email:

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email or visit www.rya.org.uk

Related Articles

Next RYA Connected Webinar on 23rd June
Securing funding and finance for your club If you're interested in securing funding or finance to enable investment for capital infrastructure projects then we think you will want to know about this webinar... Posted on 13 Jun
Celebrating 20 years of OnBoard
One of the UK's largest grassroots programs dedicated to getting children aged 8–18 out on the water OnBoard is celebrating 20 years of impact—having already introduced more than 1.3 million young people to the transformative experience of sailing and windsurfing. Posted on 9 Jun
RYA named Official Community Impact Partner
Connecting the local community, children and groups in Portsmouth with the water. As excitement builds ahead of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth this July, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is proud to be named the event's Official Community Impact Partner. Posted on 7 Jun
New British Sailing Talent Academies open
Four Academy host venues announced as programme applications open up The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is proud to announce the launch of four new British Sailing Talent Academies as part of its commitment to developing the next generation of high-performance sailors. Posted on 4 Jun
Nominations now open for the 2026 RYA Awards
Celebrate the people and organisations making a difference in our boating community The instructor who sparks confidence in new sailors. The person who quietly keeps things running behind the scenes. The young volunteer who turns up with a smile, rain or shine. Posted on 2 Jun
RYA Southampton International Boat Show deal
Take advantage of an exclusive discounted £5 ticket Southampton International Boat Show, Britain's biggest festival of boating and watersports is back on 19th-28th September 2025 for its 56th edition and RYA members (aged 16+) can now take advantage of an exclusive discounted £5 ticket. Posted on 31 May
Next RYA Connected Webinar tonight at 7pm!
Growing membership through non-competitive activity After a pause in April, it's time for the third in the series of webinars aimed at helping clubs boost membership and sailing participation. Posted on 12 May
£10 off RYA adult or family membership
This spring, make it official - join the RYA community Now's the perfect time to take the next step in your boating journey. Join RYA membership today and unlock exclusive benefits designed to help you get more from life on the water. Posted on 19 Apr
RYA launches 'The Female Futures Group'
Supporting and elevating women in sport A new wave of change is emerging in British sailing as the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) launches The Female Futures Group, dedicated to increasing female participation and unlocking new opportunities for women and girls in the sport. Posted on 9 Apr
RYA influences MCA's changes to regulations
Interview with Niall McLeod to see how Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice affects us The RYA have been working closely with the the government to make sure that new regulations for leisure vessels are not too restrictive. It seems that any group which operates a "coded" vessel should be thankful. Posted on 18 Mar