Clipper Events kick started its new programme of team building opportunities and corporate sailing days by giving employees from endurance sports brand Wiggle an unforgettable experience on the water.
On 25 March, team members from leading fitness brand Wiggle, jumped on board five Clipper 68s and set sail from Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays for a day of team building in the spring sunshine. Each yacht was crewed by a different Wiggle department, in their everyday working teams, and under guidance of Clipper Race sailing staff spent the day learning the basics of sailing a Clipper 68 racing yacht.
The main ambition of the day was to build stronger relationships, teamwork, communication and allow all levels to participate equally. The teams enjoyed a day of perfect learning conditions under bluebird skies and light winds, plus, for a bit of competition, each yacht battled it out in an afternoon of round the cans racing in the Solent.
At the end of the day, we at Clipper Events asked Mike Clark, Group Commercial Director at Wiggle Chain Reaction (Wiggle CRC) what he thought of the Solent sailing day:
Q: Sum up the team building experience, Mike?
Mike: The day has been absolutely amazing! We wanted something that got us outdoors, but also brought us together as teams, challenged ourselves – and it’s been an absolutely fantastic day.
Q. How did you all get on out there?
Mike: Our team came second – it was very, very close. I think we took a wrong turn quite late on but it was great. But it wasn’t really about where we came, it was about having great fun and about learning some new skills. Fantastic day!
Q. What did you think of sailing as a team building platform?
Mike: We wanted to do something that people don’t normally get to do. Something where each role was critical, where we had to communicate and work together and push ourselves. I think sailing on a 68 foot yacht in the Solent – I don’t think there’s a better platform for team building. We got to know each other even better and learned a new skill at the same time – absolutely amazing.
Q. Would you come back again next year?
Mike:Yes! Absolutely! On the Clipper 70 yachts next time.
Mike’s colleague, Faith Burns, Head of Own Brands Soft Goods at Wiggle CRC summed up the day: “Just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the team involved in making our team day on Friday so amazing. Everyone has commented on how brilliant it was, so many of them had never experienced yacht sailing before and were super nervous, but everything was so thoroughly explained, and everyone felt that they were able to get stuck in and involved in the day. It really challenged their teamwork and communication skills and brought out some competitive streaks that people didn’t realise they had!“
Thanks to the team at Wiggle CRC who made the first of many new sailing days with Clipper Events a huge success. See you next year!
