Your Way into Offshore Racing: Griffin Pathway 2027

Sun Fast 3600 RORC Griffin © Paul Wyeth/RORC

Applications for the 2027 RORC Griffin Offshore Pathway will open after a special Zoom webinar for potential applicants and those interested in supporting the programme on the 22 September.

Please sign up here for the webinar to find out more.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zxKXXRa0Qfm0jfAcFFTkRQ

Want to race offshore at a higher level, but not sure how to take the next step? The RORC Griffin Offshore Pathway could be your way in. The Griffin Pathway creates new opportunities for ambitious young sailors while inviting RORC Members and supporters to help the next generation take its first steps offshore.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club is preparing to launch the 2027 Griffin Offshore Pathway, giving sailors aged 18 – 30 the chance to develop their skills through structured training, experienced coaching, mentoring and genuine offshore racing opportunities, through the RORC offshore racing series, weekend training sessions and opportunities to sail overseas in partner events like the Nastro Rosa. Entry is open internationally.

The Griffin Pathway is designed to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity. It brings promising young sailors into an environment where they can learn by doing, race with people who share their drive and build the judgement, confidence and teamwork needed to become capable offshore racers.

Mindset matters more than mileage

You do not need to arrive with a long offshore racing CV. The Griffin Pathway is designed for sailors with the attitude, commitment, teamwork and the potential to develop. Dinghy sailors, keelboat racers, students, club sailors and those already taking their first steps offshore will all have something to offer.

The strongest applicants will be ready to:

Learn from coaches, mentors and other young sailors
Contribute fully to a team, both on and off the water
Take responsibility for preparation, safety and performance
Commit the time and energy required by the programme and push themselves beyond their current experience.

Selection is not simply about choosing the sailors with the most miles. It is about identifying people who will make the most of the opportunity and add something positive to the Griffin team.

Pathway built around real offshore racing

Selected sailors will join a guided development programme built around training, preparation, racing and review. The full 2027 programme, the level of commitment required and the selection process will be explained during the launch webinar.

The value of Griffin extends far beyond time on the water. Participants gain access to experienced sailors and coaches, learn how effective offshore teams operate and become part of a network that can open the door to further opportunities. The aim is not simply to complete races, but to create confident sailors who understand how to prepare, perform, communicate and make good decisions offshore.

In 2026, more than 100 young sailors were involved in the Griffin Pathway, while an eight-strong youth team took on the 1,805-nautical-mile RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race aboard the Sun Fast 3600 RORC Griffin. Other Griffin sailors have progressed into international and double-handed campaigns, showing how a first opportunity can become the foundation for much more.

Find out more at the Griffin 2027 launch webinar

RORC will formally launch the 2027 Griffin Offshore Pathway with a special Zoom webinar for potential applicants and those interested in supporting the programme. Current and recent Griffin sailors will share their experiences and explain what the Pathway has meant for their development.

The webinar will cover:

What Griffin is and who should apply
What selected sailors can expect from the programme
The commitment required
The 2027 programme outline
How the application and selection processes will work
Experiences sharing from sailors who have already been through the Griffin Pathway
A live question and answer session

Webinar: 1900, 22 September 2026 

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zxKXXRa0Qfm0jfAcFFTkRQWEBINAR

Applications: Applications will be open for two weeks after the zoom presentation on the 22 September 2026.

For prospective applicants

If you are aged 18 – 30 and serious about developing as an offshore sailor, register for the webinar to help you prepare your application. While previous offshore experience is valuable, attitude, commitment, teamwork and potential are what matter most.

Help create the next Griffin opportunity

For generations, the support of RORC Members and the wider offshore sailing community has been central to Griffin. The programme's roots stretch back to 1945, and the generosity, knowledge and practical help of its supporters continue to give young sailors opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to access.

There are many ways to support the 2027 Pathway:

provide a boat for training or racing
donate suitable sails or equipment
make a financial contribution to help fund opportunities
volunteer at Griffin events, training sessions or selection activities
share offshore experience, expertise or mentoring
introduce the Griffin Pathway to a talented young sailor who should apply

One of the simplest and most valuable ways to help is to send them this article, as they may not yet see offshore racing as an option for them. It will also help the realise that they do not need an extensive offshore background. If they have the right attitude and the desire to progress, the Griffin Pathway could provide just the opening they need.

For RORC Members and Griffin supporters

Refer a promising young sailor, join the launch webinar or offer practical and financial support. To discuss how you can help, email Griffin@rorc.org or visit www.sailracehq.com/fund-overview.

Whether you are ready to apply or ready to help someone else take the next step, the Griffin Offshore Pathway is building the future of offshore racing.