​Future Crew Friday – Meet Marc Hundleby

This week, we catch up with Isle of Man crew member Marc Hundleby who lives in Australia, and first heard about the race when he saw the recruitment poster travelling to work on the Woolwich Ferry in Sydney.

From that moment on, he knew he wanted to take part and recently completed his first of four compulsory levels of Clipper Race training. Marc had no previous sailing experience before signing up for the race and has completed his training at our Australian training centre. Crew members can also complete their training in the UK.

Marc is the first Manxman to circumnavigate the world with the Clipper Race. Find out why Marc resigned from his new job to take on the world’s oceans.

Name: Marc Hundleby
Age: 47
Occupation: Project Manager
Nationality: British/Australian
Signed up for: Clipper 2015-16 Race, circumnavigator

What made you decide to sign up?
The timing (with a bit of a stretch) was right, I needed to feed the inner explorer that had been quashed by corporate life for a number of years.

Why did you sign up for the circumnavigation?
The more I researched the Clipper Race organisation, the more I realised just how special this would be and that one leg was probably not going to be enough for me. I want to do something in my life that really stands out. It is a wonderful opportunity to fuel dreams and help a worthy cause at the same time.

What was the most challenging part of the level 1 training for you?
The sheer volume of new information whilst trying to juggle life - it probably didn't help selling my house right in the middle of it!

What have been the highlights of your Clipper Race experience so far?
There have been so many. The quality of training is fantastic; waking up on Monday morning moored up by a waterfall at Pittwater and going up the mast. What a view (especially because I would have been in the office at that time)! On my first 04:00 - 08:00 watch, we had clear skies, a full moon and beautiful stars. I got to experience being at the helm heading into the sunrise and having the dolphins come to visit, that will take some beating...

What advice would you give to someone preparing for their Level 1 training?
Make sure that you read the training materials, go get some rope, practice your knots, try to get as fit as you can before as it will take it out of you.

What do your family and friends think about you doing the race?
When I told my Dad he said: "But you don't know the first thing about sailing, how can you sail around the world?" It took a bit of explaining. As usual a lot of my friends and family think I'm a tad crazy however they understand that there is an adventurer inside. Only a select few people know about it at the moment, because I’ve had to resign from my new job. What can you do? I had only just accepted the contract with my new company when the wonderful Clipper Round the World Yacht Race dream became a reality…Sorry but no contest!

Want to join Marc? Contact Crew Recruitment Manager, Della Parsons [email protected] +44 (0) 2392 526 000.