Waterford will welcome a very special visitor to its quayside this weekend as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race brings its brand-new ocean-racing yacht to the city, inviting people across Waterford and the South East to step aboard and discover what it takes to race around the world.

Taking place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November at Adelphi Quay, opposite the Tower Hotel, the free public tours will offer a rare opportunity to explore the new 72-foot Clipper RX, meet experienced Race Crew and discover the extraordinary physical and mental challenges of life at sea.

And perhaps most remarkably, you don’t need any previous sailing experience to take part in the race.

FROM SAILING NOVICE TO RACE WINNER

From complete sailing novice to round-the-world race winner, Irishman Paddy Moran’s extraordinary journey demonstrates that no previous sailing experience is needed to take on the challenge.

Irish camera assistant Patrick “Paddy” Moran had little sailing experience when he signed up for the Clipper Race, driven by a desire to challenge himself and discover whether the life he was living was still bringing him joy.

What followed was an extraordinary 11-month adventure, sailing more than 40,000 nautical miles around the world, navigating extreme conditions and testing his physical and mental limits. And he didn’t just complete the race. He won it. In July 2024, Paddy and his fellow crew aboard Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam were crowned overall winners of the 2023–24 Clipper Race, claiming victory by just one point.

Reflecting on the experience, Paddy said: “I’d encourage anybody to try anything that gets them out of their comfort zone and expands their boundaries, because what this has taught me is that we’re all capable of so much more than we know or will let ourselves believe.”

COULD WATERFORD’S NEXT GREAT ADVENTURER BE AN OCEAN RACER?

Founded by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the Clipper Race brings together everyday people from all walks of life, training them to race across some of the world’s toughest oceans.

With applications now open for the 2027–28 edition, the Waterford visit offers a chance for anyone considering a new adventure, personal challenge or even a complete change of direction to find out what’s involved.

Visitors can explore where Race Crew sleep, eat, navigate and work together for weeks at sea, while learning about the intensive training and opportunities to join individual race legs or the full 40,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation.

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about your next great adventure or simply wondering whether you could really sail across an ocean. This weekend could be your opportunity to find out.