Stormhoek Bashes get the Party Started

While crew were getting to know their skipper and teams at Crew Allocation last Saturday, our Official Wine Partner Stormhoek was doing its best to make sure family and friends felt welcomed into the Clipper Race fold.

At an event in Gunwharf Quays, Bernard and Sue Fontannaz who own Stormhoek Wines hosted the first Stormhoek Supporters’ Bash. After racing across the South Atlantic in the 2013-14 edition of the race, Sue decided that she would like to organise events that encourage crew and their supporters to get together and celebrate their achievements.

Over one hundred people attended the Stormhoek bash on Saturday and now Sue wants to encourage race crew and alumni to host something similar in their own home. Sue explains: “What better way to celebrate our achievement of racing across the world’s oceans than getting together over a glass of wine? Few people understand what it is like to change their world by competing in an event like the Clipper Race.

“We hope that by encouraging you to host a Stormhoek Bash and share your experiences with your fellow alumni and new crew members, it will provide the opportunity to build on great relationships and also start new ones. As I used to say to my fellow Invest Africa crew, let’s get the party started!”

If any of our crew are interested in hosting a Stormhoek Bash in your local area all you need to do is post your ideas for your event and who you will share it with on the Stormhoek Wines Facebook Page.

Your bash can be big or small, from a camping trip and activity weekend to a fancy dress house party or BBQ. You can invite crew past and present to talk through the unforgettable memories that come from being part of the Clipper Race, and what else it has inspired you to do.

Next week alumni crew members Holly Jones and Penny Noble are hosting the first Stormhoek Bash at Holly’s house in Dartmouth. Holly took part in Leg 2 during the Times Clipper 2000 Race and Penny did Leg 4 on Serica in the first race back in 1996. Returning from their race adventure, they both swapped life in the city for the Dartmouth countryside from where they each run their own business.

If your event is chosen by Stormhoek, they will send you a case of wine to host the bash and we can help you promote it through Clipper Race Alumni social media and newsletters. With two bank holiday weekends coming up in the UK, it’s the perfect time to catch up with old crew mates and meet a few new crew members who are preparing to embark on the race of their life.