Sailor Max at helm for Clipper race
Stirling-born sailor Max Rivers has been announced as skipper for Our Isles and Oceans (OIAO) for its team entering the Clipper 2023-24 Race.
Our Isles and Oceans is based in Scotland and they are the only British entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The race sees adventurers from all walks of life take on the exceptional challenge of racing across the world’s oceans on board a 70-foot yacht. Many participants have no prior sailing experience but go on to tackle some of the most challenging conditions that Mother Nature can serve up.
Race skippers not only need the expertise to race across an ocean safely, but must possess the right combination of leadership, coaching and people management skills to create a successful team from a group of novice sailors.
Max said: “It is a great honour to be appointed as Clipper Race skipper for the Our Isles and Oceans Team.
“I know the west coast of Scotland well and it is where I fell in love with sailing. The opportunity that young people have through Our Isles and Oceans is inspirational and I can’t wait to get on board with the rest of the crew. It will be such a privilege to help them grow.”
Max was born and brought up in Stirling, and first started sailing off the west coast of Scotland at the age of 13.
Now aged 29, he has almost 30,000 nautical miles under his belt. Max skippered the Great British Paddle support yacht on an expedition to circumnavigate the UK. He was an AQP (additional qualified person, or First Mate) on board Go to Bermuda during the Clipper Race 2019-20. He has taught sailing in Australia and has also worked as a training instructor at Hamble School of Yachting, sister company to Clipper Ventures.
Anthony Stodart, director of Our Isles and Oceans said: “We are simply delighted that Max Rivers is going to be our skipper.
“He is a perfect fit. Max was brought up in Stirling, now lives on the Isle of Wight, and has already skippered a Great British yacht.
“With a 50 per cent strike rate of podium finishes in the last race, if that isn’t inspirational from someone of his age, we don’t know what is.”
Our Isles and Oceans is a Scottish organisation that helps young people achieve their life goals and build sustainable livelihoods through personal and professional development, whatever their background or circumstances.
Delivering experiences to its ambassadors, through its associated charity, OIAO provides funded programmes and youth development initiatives along the coastline and isles of Scotland. To date the charity has helped 79 young people get their lives back on track.
Max added: “I want to train the crew so well so that by the end of the race, they are empowered to sail the yacht safely with minimal assistance from me and the First Mate.
“I hope the whole crew will continue their sailing expeditions after completing the Clipper Race, using their learnt skills and seamanship. There is nothing better than knowing you can handle anything the ocean throws at you.”
Follow the journey at clipperroundtheworld.com.