The Volvo Ocean Race Village opens on Sunday May 27 (until Race departs June 10), in time for the Bank Holiday and half term school break – with boat loads of activities and entertainment for the whole family.
The Race Village is built and ready to open on Alexandra Head, next to the skate park on the Barrage, with free entry and access to everything from water sports taster sessions, to circus workshops, evening live music sessions, and of course the Race itself – everything you need to know about the thrilling adventure of the Volvo Ocean Race and what it takes for some of the world’s finest sailors to take on the great oceans of the world.
The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s toughest and most prestigious sailing event. The fleet is currently on its way across the Atlantic after leaving Newport, Rhode Island last weekend, and the leaders are expected to arrive for their Cardiff Stopover around Monday 28th, having sliced through pounding waves, walls of wind and sights and sounds that would give most of us nightmares. They started their epic 45,000 nautical mile voyage around the world in October last year.
[accordions]
[accordion title=”Race Village attractions include:” load=”show”]Organised Kaos Youth Circus – Workshops and the chance to try out static trapeze, juggling, uni-cycling and more at daily free workshops.
Water Sports Activities – coaches offer taster sessions in sailing and stand-up paddle boarding. Register for your free space on the day.
NoFit State Circus – Lexicon – an unmissable combination of live music, dance, stage design and film with traditional circus skills. Visit volvooceanracecardiff.com/ticketed-events for show times and prices.
Military Festival of Music on Saturday 2 June
A selection of HM the Queen’s finest Armed Forces bands, including The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh.
Volvo Ocean Race 65 fleet – the chance to see the boats up close, with explanations of just how good these £4.5m vessels really are.
The Globe – a Sustainability Centre to raise awareness about ocean health, in line with key Race messages, giving an insight into the Race, and revealing more about the characters involved and the challenge they face.
Race Boat Experience – get a selfie behind the wheel of a model Volvo Ocean 65 racing yacht
Pit Lane Experience – get up close with the crews and their daily activities.
Free Workshops & Talks from National Marine Aquarium, Cardiff University and more in the ABP classroom
Sunset Sessions – when the site is open until 9.30pm, come and sample the delicious food and drink and unwind as the sun sets over Cardiff Bay, with music sessions curated by organisations including Trac, BBC Horizons and Sŵn. There is also live music at lunchtime.
Ticketed Activities – show your own spirit of adventure on the climbing wall and zip-wire, or get a bird’s eye view of the action from the spectacular big wheel. Tickets purchased on the day.
[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Race Village Opening Times” load=”hide”]Sunday 27 May 10am – 9:30pm
Monday 28 May 10am – 9:30pm
Sunday – Thursday 10am – 7pm
Friday – Saturday 10am – 9:30pm[/accordion]
[accordion title=”The races taking place during the stopover” load=”hide”]Race Days
Friday, 8 June
Sky Ocean Rescue InPort Race in the Estuary
Saturday, 9 June
Pro-Am Race in Cardiff Bay
Sunday 10 June, the boats will depart Cardiff for Gothenburg, Sweden – check out the race from the big screens or watch from the barrage embankment on the festival site.
[/accordion]
[/accordions]
Download the full Race Village Map (opens in new window) >
This is the first UK visit in 12 years for the race that started life in 1973. It will bring a significant financial boost to the Welsh economy in the Visit Wales designated ‘Year of the Sea’. The 45,000 nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race set out from Alicante last October, journeying across the great oceans with stopovers in some of the most famous maritime destinations such as Hong Kong, Cape Town and Auckland. When it leaves Cardiff on June 10, it moves on to Gothenburg and The Hague for its finale at the end of June.
One of the boats, Turn The Tide On Plastic, is helping to spread the message about the damage caused by plastic in the oceans, and is actually collecting data on microplastics as it voyages around the world. Amongst its crew is Welshman Bleddyn Môn, who’s looking forward to coming home. Bleddyn said:
“The Volvo Ocean Race is a huge test of ability and resilience, and it’s been one of the most amazing experience of my life. As a Welshman, it’s terrific that Cardiff is the UK stopover, and I’m so looking forward to catching up with family and friends when we reach Cardiff Bay next weekend.”
Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said:
“As well as another opportunity to showcase our credentials as a major sporting event destination, Volvo Ocean Race will also cast light on the Welsh Capital as a waterfront destination. We can’t wait to welcome the crews, their families and visitors to the city for what promises to be a fortnight of first-class event activity.”
