Take a look at our video from the last trips:
Trip Outline
2025 will see the next opportunity to be part of a West Lancs yachting trip sailing in the beautiful Mediterranean (Adriatic Seas), exploring islands, discovering beaches and swimming in warm seas. As well as travelling, living and sleeping on board 15-metre yachts participants will get the opportunity to go sightseeing, immerse themselves in local culture and eat at local restaurants in secluded harbours.
Where will the trip go?
We have chosen to return to Croatia again but to do things a little different. This time we will have more boats (8 rather than 6) and will plan to have two groups of 4 boats in marinas together each night. We will vary which boats are grouped up each night.
We are planning on flying in to Split and sailing around the Dalmatia area of islands.
Who is this trip for?
The trip will be open to members aged between 14 and 25 years old on the date of departure.
When will the trip take place?
The trip will be for 7 days from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November 2025. Exact dates will be confirmed once flights are booked around 12 months before the trip.
Trip Leadership Team
The Trip Leader is David Sheard. David is the lead for Yacht Setanta, RYA Coastal and has been on the previous two trips.
The trip Assistant Leader supporting David is Alison Walmsley.
Alison Walmsley – Assistant Trip Leader and Leader I am a cub section leader in South Ribble. I have experience as a leader on a number of international trips , including as an expedition Medic to Malaysia as well as the last two world scout jamborees to America and more recently Korea. I am novice with regards to sailing and so I am looking forward to learning more , sharing the experience and grasping all the opportunities this trip has to offer with the young people of a West Lancs.
Leading on the Finances and providing significant technical yachting support is Alastair Johnson:
Alastair Johnson – Yachtmaster Instructor and generally always on a yacht!
The rest of the team includes:
David Smith – Skipper David has been involved in Scouting in West Lancs forever and owns his own yacht on Windermere.
Ben Brearley – Leader: I am a younger leader to be going on the trip however, I will draw upon my experiences on internationals as a scout and explorer. I have grown up sailing and look forward to this trip combing these two hobbies of mine – sailing and Scouting.
James Abercrombie – Leader I’ve been a Leader in Scouting for over 10 years, but am completely new to sailing. I love to visit new places, and can’t wait to explore Croatia by coast.
Simone Burns – Skipper Simone lives life to the full and always on holiday. Quite a lot of the time in a boat!
Brian Doran – Leader I’m a member of SplAShU, I’ve been involved in West Lancs scouting for over 30 years. I was a Leader/quartermaster on the Adriatic 2023 sailing trip and am looking forward to another successful trip in 2025.
Mark Westwood – Skipper: I’m an RYA Coastal Skipper and have been a Scout leader in various sections for over ten years. This will be my third Adriatic yachting expedition, and I can’t wait to get back out sailing the beautiful Dalmatian coast. Each trip has been full of great memories, new experiences, and plenty of adventure – and I’m really looking forward to seeing what this one brings!
Liz Porter – Leader I’ve been a leader in West Lancs Scouts for 19 years with Wyre District. I was a Leader / lead medic on the Adriatic 2023 sailing trip and am very excited to be a Leader on the 2025 Dalmatia yachting trip.
Rachael Astley – Assistant Skipper I’m a Explorer scout leader in South Ribble district. I love sailing and very much looking forward to being part of Dalmatia 2025.
Martyn Browitt – Skipper: I have been a Leader with Lancaster Sea scouts for 35 years and enjoy passing on my experience to young people.
Mike Banner – Skipper I have been involved in sail-training for many years, with the Morning Star Trust. I really enjoyed the last two W Lancs Scouts sailing expeditions and am looking forward to an even better one this time.
Sinead Salisbury – Leader
Graeme Calvert – Skipper I’m a Coastal Skipper and I really loved the Adriatic 2023 trip so I’m back for more! Supporting Explorer scouts discover yacht sailing is a wonderful contrast to my usual role as a Beaver leader…
Mia Culshaw – Leader: I’m a Scout leader in Chorley. I’ve been on many international trips with scouts including a trip to Mongolia and China. My favourite moment in scouts is being chosen as a representative for scouts at the Kings coronation.
Jonathan Brocken – Leader
Jack Sharples – Skipper I’m Jack, explorer leader in Lonsdale district. Been a leader on the past 2 yachting trips and becoming a skipper this year if all goes well! These trips are incredible and a different way of seeing the world!
When can Young People apply?
Applications are now open!
How much commitment will this trip be?
To be able to come on the trip you will need to be available on the following dates:
Sunday 9 June 2024 – Selection Day, Littledale Scout Activity Centre
Tuesday 16 July 2024 6:30 to 8pm – Successful Candidates Parents Briefing, Fylde HQ
Friday 20th (6pm onwards) to Sunday 22nd September 2024 – Ullswater Yacht Club, weekend training camp
Sunday 9 February 2025 – Meeting and Social event
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May 2025 – Training Weekend (Fylde HQ)
At least one day over the summer (July/August 2025) – day trip on Setanta
Sunday 14 September 2025 – Training Day and Final Briefing (Anderton Centre, Chorley)
How much will this trip cost?
The cost includes all the training and costs associated with the trip. The only costs not covered are the travel costs to and from the training days and briefings above and getting to and from the airport. We will hopefully travel from Manchester Airport.
A review of costs will be needed once flights can be booked as these are a significant cost and unknown until around 12 months prior to the trip.
Currently our forecast is £1400 per person on the trip. The payment milestones are £200 deposit August 24 followed by £300 due September, December, February and April. Alternatively other monthly payment plans can be agreed.
We will be aiming to do some fundraising and once boat crews are allocated this will be organised at that level.
How many will be going on the trip?
We are aiming to take 8 boats and there will be around 6 participants per boat with 2 adults on each (a Leader and a Skipper). This gives us up to 48 participants.
Who can apply to be a participant?
To qualify for application, young people should be between 14 and 18 on the day the trip starts (25 October 2025). We may be able to take a small number (6) of Network aged participants (18-25).
We are also offering up to 6 participant places to young people based in Cumbria. All other participants should be members of West Lancs Scouts.
How do I apply?
You can apply by following the following link – Dalmatia2025 Application Form
Closing Date: midnight on Monday 20 May 2024. All applicants will be invited to attend a selection day on Sunday 9 June and the Leadership team will then select who will be successful in joining the trip by the end of June 2024. There are places for around 48 participants. We can cater for up to 70 applicants at the Selection Day. We therefore may need to close the applications early if we get a good responce. We would encourage anyone interested to apply early.
What will happen after I apply?
Following the Selection Day, you will be informed if you are successful in being invited to be on the trip by the end of June 2024.