Your adventure starts here
Get away from it all for a week, develop your sailing skills in stunning surroundings, relish the challenge of living on board a yacht... and find out what being a Christian is all about.
The Walrus Cruise is a charity staffed entirely by volunteers, led by the Commodore. We offer adventurous training sailing holidays for teenagers & further development for students.
Indeed, we have a centenary of experience of sailing on the Norfolk Broads, having been making the very most of these idyllic inland waterways since way back in 1924.
For you
Who?
Our cruises are available for 13 - 18 year olds from across the UK (possibly 12+ but please ask before booking). We also encourage those who are over 18 and who have been on the cruise before to continue with us as Leaders.
What?
The Walrus Cruise is a RYA Training Centre and each one-week cruise consists of a fleet of yachts, usually supported by a motor cruiser or two. It's a perfect opportunity to develop leadership skills, learn more about the Christian faith and make lifelong friends. Having chosen our destination to make the most of wind and tide, each yacht then has the freedom to decide whether to race against other boats, or to relax and enjoy a leisurely sail whilst feasting on the sights along the riverbanks (and more than a few biscuits!)
Where?
Starting from Martham Boats, the fleet cruises (sails) around the idyllic Norfolk Broads in the area bounded by Barton to the North, Horsey on the East coast, Acle to the South and Wroxham in the West. The Broads consist of shallow lakes (broads) and 125 miles of lock-free waterways and is Britain's largest nationally protected wetland. A truly unique area, rich in rare habitats, a wealth of unusual architecture and stunning scenery. A great place to “get away from it all!”
When?
We run two cruises for teenagers every year, one in the Easter period and the other in the Summer. Check out our Upcoming Events for details.
Upcoming Events
Sat, 12 Apr12 Apr 2025, 13:30 – 19 Apr 2025, 09:30Martham Boats, Cess Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RF, UK12 Apr 2025, 13:30 – 19 Apr 2025, 09:30Martham Boats, Cess Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RF, UKGrow in confidence and self-esteem as you experience the thrills and spills of life in board a 30ft yacht. Enjoy this adventurous sailing holiday and explore what being a Christian is all about with your new friends. Cost: £328 (Discounts and bursaries available)
Sat, 26 Jul26 Jul 2025, 13:30 – 02 Aug 2025, 09:30Martham Boats, Cess Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RF, UK26 Jul 2025, 13:30 – 02 Aug 2025, 09:30Martham Boats, Cess Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RF, UKA great chance for 13 - 18 year olds to get away from it all for a week, enjoy stunning surroundings, learn to sail and explore what being a Christian is all about. Cost: £328 (Deposits and bursaries available)
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Do I need to know how to sail?Not at all! Our highly experienced Leadership Team welcome beginners and will show you the ropes throughout the week. Just in case you manage to fall in though, we do require that crew members are able to swim 50 metres. The Walrus Cruise is a RYA Recognised Training Centre and there is the option for you to undertake Level 1 for beginners if you wish. Then, in your next cruises, you might choose to work your way through Levels 2, 3 and up to Seamanship in the keelboats we sail.
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What do I need to bring?Mostly a determination to have great fun! The Walrus Cruise and the boatyards provide all necessary safety equipment such as life jackets and a list of things to bring will be included in the joining instructions. You don't need any special kit but good gloves for handling ropes and decent waterproofs are really helpful!
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Where will I be sleeping?You will be sleeping in a berth (bed) on board one of our boats. Each yacht sleeps 3 - 4 crew members (occasionally 5) and at least one Team Leader. For more information on the types of boats we use, see the boatyard’s website.
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What will I eat?Whatever you can cook! You and your fellow crew members will take it in turns to provide for each other using the facilities on board your yacht… but don’t worry, all the ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions are provided. We often hold at least one BBQ on shore, especially in the summer. You will be asked if you have any allergies or specific food requirements in the joining information. Biscuits, oh yes, don't forget the biscuits to keep you going as you are sail along (and, if you are really, really, really good, you might even be offered a slice of the Commodore's flapjack!)
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Do I have to be a Christian to go?No. All are welcome whether you have a strong faith, some faith or none at all.... just as long as you are happy to take full part in all the activities including Bible studies/discussions. The aim of these discussions is to give you a chance to talk about things that concern you and to help you grow.
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Are my valuables kept safe?Unfortunately, this is not possible in the confines of a boat on the water and The Walrus Cruise cannot take responsibility for personal possessions. Therefore, we would strongly recommend that expensive phones or other valuables are left at home. We do provide a sealed plastic box for phones but cannot utterly guarantee their safety and its use must be at your own risk.
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I want to go but can’t afford the cost. Are discounts available?We offer a £100 reduction off your first cruise and a further £50 off for each friend you recommend who joins us for their first cruise. Due the generosity of our charity's supporters, The Walrus Cruise is able to provide bursaries for those who may not be able to afford the cost. Please feel free to contact us if this is something you'd like to discuss.
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Is pocket money required?Everything is included in the cost of each cruise except travel to/from the boatyard, merch and RYA training booklets. We encounter a few gift shops along the way and ice creams are popular in sunshine… so we would suggest bringing between £15 - £30.
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What qualifications do the Leaders have?The Walrus Cruise is inspected annually by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) because it is a Recognised Training Centre, and each yacht is skippered by a Leader with a RYA sailing certificate. The Commodore has a RYA Instructor’s certificate, is a qualified First Aider and has over 40 years of sailing experience (including having raced across the Atlantic). We are also a founder member of the Standing Conference of Christian Sailing Cruises which shares experience and best practice. The usual Leader to Crew ratio on each cruise is an amazing 1:2 (maximum 1:5 on a yacht) and all Leaders have had an enhanced DBS check. So rest assured that you will be in safe hands.
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What does The Walrus Cruise being a RYA Training Centre mean?The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the preeminent worldwide organisation for sailing enthusiasts and more information can be found via their website: www.rya.org The Walrus Cruise is a RYA Recognised Training Centre on the Norfolk Broads and is inspected every year by them to ensure the quality of our instruction. Therefore, on our week long Cruises we can offer you the additional opportunity to gain these RYA Keelboat Certificates: Level 1 (Start Sailing) Level 2 (Basic Skills) Level 3 (Better Sailing) Seamanship Our usual Leader to Crew ratio is an amazing 1:2 (maximum 1:5) and all the professional training is included in the cost of the Cruise. If you wish have a go at achieving a certificate, you just need to purchase a RYA National Sailing Scheme G4 logbook from us (£6 in 2024), or to bring your own if you have already started the scheme.
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Is The Walrus Cruise insured?The Walrus Cruise has full Public Liability insurance which is renewed each year. However, this does NOT cover your personal possessions which may, instead, be covered by your home insurance policy. Please check and consider whether you would like to take out holiday insurance from your broker.
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What's your policy on .... ?All of our current policies and Statement of Faith can be found here. If you're interested or concerned about something then please do let us know.
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What are the Terms and Conditions?You can find all of our Terms and Conditions here
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I like what you do... how can I support you in that?The Walrus Cruise would greatly value your support in whatever way you are able. As a Christian charity, we need as many people praying for us as possible and there are lots of other ways to support us as well, whether recruiting young people on one of the Cruises, spreading the word in your church, or donating funds etc. Please click here to download a PDF explaining how you can help.
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